Fear in Antarctic base as research team member is accused of assault

Tension has gripped a remote South African research base in Antarctica following an accusation of assault by one team member against a colleague, prompting urgent intervention from authorities.

According to officials from South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), which oversees the base, a “response plan to engage the individuals involved” was “immediately activated.” 

However, the department confirmed there were no plans to repatriate any of the team members despite the allegations.

In a statement sent to CNN, responding to claims outlined in an email from the team, the department said, “The alleged perpetrator has willingly participated in further psychological evaluation, has shown remorse, and is willingly cooperative to follow any interventions that are recommended.”

The DFFE said it received reports of the alleged assault involving two members of the overwintering team of nine on February 27. The department also confirmed it is investigating an additional claim of sexual harassment, though the identities of those involved have not been disclosed.

The incident came to light after South Africa’s Sunday Times reported on the contents of an email sent by the team, which accused the male colleague of physically attacking the team leader and appealed for external help.

“His behavior has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing,” the author wrote in the email, according to the Sunday Times, adding: “I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim.”

CNN noted it has not independently verified the email’s contents, and the newspaper did not name any individuals.

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South Africa remains the only African country operating a scientific station in Antarctica, where it has maintained a presence since 1960. The SANAE IV station, managed by the DFFE, typically accommodates researchers for 13-month rotations. The current team, the department said, was deployed on February 1.

“The Department confirms that there were no incidents that required any of the nine overwintering team members to be brought back to Cape Town,” its statement said about the assault allegations. “If such incidents occurred, the management team of the Department would have replaced such an overwintering team member with immediate effect.”

This is not the first time a South African research mission has faced similar issues. In 2017, a member of an expedition team at Marion Island reportedly “vandalized another colleague’s laptop with an axe because of a love triangle they were involved in,” according to a South African parliamentary monitoring group.

The DFFE noted that team members undergo assessments before deployment “to ensure they are able to cope with the isolation and can work and live with others in the confined space of the bases.” Still, it acknowledged, “it is not uncommon that once individuals arrive at the extremely remote areas where the scientific bases are located, an initial adjustment to the environment is required.”

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