Department of Health acting director-general Dr Anban Pillay "abused the power" of his office when he wrote to the chairperson of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to recommend an investigation be launched into its president, Professor Glenda Gray, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) said on Monday afternoon.
Pillay had requested an investigation into Gray's comments, claiming she had "made a number of false allegations against the government", GroundUp reported last week.
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ASSAf said Pillay asked for the investigation into Gray simply because she held different views from the political authorities on the lockdown restrictions.
Gray has been at the forefront of a public spat between the health department and South African scientists over lockdown regulations, after she told News24 in an interview that the country's lockdown approach was "unscientific", a claim she has since denied.
ASSAf said Health Minister Zweli Mkhize had a "measured reply" when he disputed aspects of Gray's remarks in a statement last week, but it's Pillay subsequent actions which are concerning.
