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By Jehran Naidoo 
1 hour ago
Durban – The president of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Dr. Glenda Gray, has said that Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng should keep his religious beliefs to himself when representing the state.
“We live in a secular society and we have a secular government; The state and the church are separate. You should keep your religious views to yourself when representing the state. Also, you shouldn’t get caught up in conspiracy theories, ”Gray told the African News Agency (ANA) over the weekend.
Gray’s comments came after Mogoeng led a controversial prayer at a thanksgiving service last week in Tembisa, Gauteng, in which he said that the Covid-19 vaccine could “infuse triple six into people’s lives. “.
“If there is any vaccine, it is from the Devil intended to infuse triple six into people’s lives, intended to corrupt their DNA. Any such vaccine, Lord God Almighty, can be destroyed by fire, ”Mogoeng said.
Mogoeng’s prayer followed the Solidarity Fund’s announcement of the R327 million payment as part of the first step to secure the country’s position in the COVAX program.
The figure represents 15% of the total cost of ensuring access to vaccines for 10% of the population, about six million people.
Mogoeng defended himself at a press conference after the prayer, after being asked where he got the idea for “triple six” being infused in a vaccine, saying it was his constitutional right to pray.
Despite subjecting the Covid-19 vaccine to eternal damnation, Mogoeng said during the same press conference that he “knows nothing about vaccines” and that his sentence stems from an announcement suggesting that a global organization is “considering” making vaccination certificates are mandatory. to travel.
Mogoeng also said that he was not against all vaccines, but only those that harm people.
The SAMRC president deflated Mogoeng’s comments, saying that vaccines have been the cornerstone of public health.
“We must not allow unscientific personal beliefs to undermine the public health response. Vaccines have been the cornerstone of public health. Without vaccines, measles, polio and smallpox would not have been eradicated, ”Gray said.
“Without the vaccines, our children would get measles, pneumococcal pneumonia and haemophilus meningitis. Would we stop vaccinating our children to prevent this? “
The human rights organization Africa For Palestine has filed a complaint against Mogoeng with the Judicial Service Committee following the incident.
Africa for Palestine Movement Director Muhammed Desai said they fully support freedom of expression; however, as Chief Justice of South Africa, Mogeng has a code of conduct to abide by.
African News Agency (ANA)
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