About 50 members of the scientific community have come out in support of Professor Glenda Gray following a request by the health department to launch an investigation into her.

The department's deputy director-general, Dr Anban Pillay, called for an investigation into Gray following comments she made in an interview with News24.

According to GroundUp, Pillay said Gray's comments eroded public support for behaviour change, adding he had also received calls regarding her conduct as MRC president.

The group - made up of scientist, academics and policy experts including some members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee as well as other academics and medical experts - voiced its concern over the government's actions against Gray in a statement on Saturday.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR PROFESSOR GLENDA GRAY AND THE PRINCIPLE OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF SPEECH as at 6.45 pm, 23rd May.pdf