By Rorisang Modiba
- Environment department says claims of serious trouble at Antarctic base are not true.
- One team member was accused of assault and sexual harassment but was not sent home.
The environment department has denied claims of serious misconduct at South Africa’s Antarctic base after media reports said there was chaos among the team stationed there.
On Monday, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) said that while there was an incident, it wasn’t bad enough to send anyone home from SANAE IV, South Africa’s research station in Antarctica.
The department confirmed that a team member was accused of assaulting another on 27 February 2025.
But officials said steps were taken to sort things out, including mediation by trained professionals.
The department said the man involved has since been seen by a psychologist, apologised to his colleague and offered to speak to the entire team.
He also agreed to take part in further interventions.
But it doesn’t stop there — the same man is now being investigated in a separate case of sexual harassment involving a second team member.
The department has brought in counsellors to support the whole team and try to keep things calm and professional at the base.
The incident came to light only after the SA Agulhas II ship had left, meaning the team must continue their work together in Antarctica for another year.
The department said they are working hard to keep things stable and make sure the base stays safe for everyone.
Pictured above: South Africa’s SANAE IV base in Antarctica.
Image source: Stellenbosch University
