Big Problems At South Africa's Antarctic Research Station

17 Mar 04:47 Sanae IV research base on the Vesleskarvet nunatak in Queen Maud Land. (Supplied/South African National Antarctic Programme) Sanae IV research base on the Vesleskarvet nunatak in Queen Maud Land. (Supplied/South African National Antarctic Programme) A team member at SA's Antarctic research base, Sanae IV, is reported to have allegedly physically and sexually assaulted colleagues – leading to high tensions within the group. An email was sent to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, detailing assaults and threats. The department said it was investigating and would provide necessary support and strategies for conflict resolution and interpersonal skills. Tensions have escalated at the Sanae IV South African Antarctic research base in the isolated and harsh environment of Vesleskarvet, Queen Maud Land, some 4000km south of Cape Town. The base, perched on the edge of a rocky outcrop some 170km inland of Antarctica, is at the centre of a situation involving conflict between the overwintering team and reports of safety concerns. Overwintering researchers as part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (Sanap) are sent to the island where they face extreme cold and isolation. The team spends around 15 months on the continent - 10 of which will be spent in total isolation until the next relief team arrives. ADVERTISEMENT The Sanae relief voyage takes place between December and March each year and takes approximately 75 days, according to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) website. Each expedition is made up of a doctor, two diesel mechanics, an electrical engineer/technician, a mechanical engineer/technician, an electronic engineer/technician, a senior meteorologist and two physicists. In an email last month to the DFFE, a team member pleaded for help, detailing how a team member allegedly physically assaulted and threatened to kill a colleague and sexually assaulted another, the Sunday Times reported. (South African National Antarctic Programme) Sanae IV research base on the Vesleskarvet nunatak in Queen Maud Land (Supplied/South African National Antarctic Programme) Supplied The Department said on Monday that while an investigation was under way, it was responding to these concerns with the "utmost urgency" and have had a number of interventions with all parties concerned at the base. ADVERTISEMENT "The emphasis is placed on creating a healthy and cooperative work environment, and the wellness unit is in contact with the team at the base on a continuous basis to find solutions and [a] sustainable way forward for the wellbeing of the team members located in that remote base," said DFFE communications head Peter Mbelengwa. He added that prior to being appointed, prospective overwinterers were subjected to a number of evaluations. READ | Salty dispute over kelp harvesting permit divides Western Cape fishing village These included: "background checks, reference checks, medical assessment as well as a psychometric evaluation by qualified professionals". "Only upon positive outcomes in all aspects and the final overall evaluation of the proposed overwinterers by the ship-based medical doctor will the person be appointed. In this instance, no negative outcomes were recorded in relation to all the current overwinterers in Sanae, which forms a critical component of the department's risk assessment processes." (Maria Olivier/Antarctic Legacy of South Africa) A graphic showing where SA's Antarctic research base is in relation to Cape Town. (Supplied/Maria Olivier/Antarctic Legacy of South Africa) Supplied He said the department was taking the team through a thorough process with various options being discussed with them. "During this unforeseen incident, the department is engaging with the professional that undertook the psychometric evaluation in order to have the overwinterers re-assessed and to assist with coping mechanisms during their time at the base, inclusive of conflict resolution strategies, interpersonal skills improvement as well as overall counselling and support." Mbelengwa said the situation at the base was being monitored nearly daily, with regular feedback from the team, management, and officials from labour relations and employee wellness. Evaluations are structured in order to track progress and improvement of relationships and conflict management. According to Sanap, Sanae's research is divided into physical sciences, earth sciences, life sciences, and oceanographic sciences. ADVERTISEMENT Only the physical sciences programme is conducted year-round at the base. "The other programmes are conducted during the short summer period when the temperatures and weather permit fieldwork and the extent of the sea ice is at its minimum," the website stated. You have invested in the future News24 has been there for South Africa's defining moments over the last 25 years, and you've been right beside us. Your support of trusted journalism has sustained us, and now it will propel us to continue to strive to inform, inspire and empower as we try to build a better future for us all. Discover News24 Related Links 'I'm SA's Gisèle Pelicot': Cape Town woman fears husband drugged, raped, photographed her More Zanzou allegations: Patrons' cars confiscated, wheels removed as coercion to settle bills Icebreaker returns from Antarctica with alarming news Next on News24 HIV cure trial in Durban shows promising results – UKZN's Prof Ndung'u 17 Mar HIV cure trial in Durban shows promising results – UKZN's Prof Ndung'u Read more on:fisheries and the environmentsanae ivdepartment of forestryantarcticacrime and courts