South Africa’s Antarctica base hit by assault claims: What happened?

South African authorities have put a crew member of a remote research team at the South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) IV base in Antarctica under psychological evaluation after reports of his violent behaviour emerged, including physical assault and sexual harassment of his teammates.

Reports of assault were first reported last weekend by South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper, which claimed to have seen a distress email sent by a crew member to government officials. That person pleaded for rescue and said the violent staff member had made death threats.Officials said psychological counsellors have since “constantly” intervened remotely and that the accused crew member is being “cooperative”.

Here’s what we know about the incident and the research work being done at the SANAE IV base.What happened?
Over the weekend, the Sunday Times reported that a “real-life horror movie” was playing out on the isolated Antarctica base that houses a nine-man crew.

The newspaper reported it had seen an email sent from a team member to South Africa’s Ministry of Environment, which oversees research missions. In the email, the team member alleged that another crew member, whose name was not disclosed by the Sunday Times, had attacked the base’s leader and made a death threat.

“His behaviour has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing,” the email read, according to the Sunday Times report, with the complainant asking for “immediate action” from the authorities.“I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim.”

According to the BBC, which quoted official sources, “a dispute over a task the team leader wanted the team to do – a weather-dependant task that required a schedule change”, had triggered the dispute.Where is the base and what is the team doing there?
The SANAE IV base is some 4,000km (2,500 miles) from South Africa, 80km (50 miles) “inland” from the edge of the continent’s eastern Queen Maud Land region. A three-module, bright orange structure, it is perched on a rocky outcrop on the edge of the Ahlmann Ridge of mountains and surrounded by a glacial ice sheet. South African researchers have been collecting scientific weather data for climate monitoring, atmospheric studies, and geological surveys there since 1960.According to information from the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), the current team was deployed on February 1 and is being led by technician Mbulaheni Kelcey Maewashe. Other members of the crew include one doctor, scientists and several engineers.

Research teams like these often have to work together in close quarters and against a backdrop of hostile weather – including 24-hour dark days in the winter – for several months before they can leave. Antarctica is now entering winter.

There is often little to no contact with the outside world. This team is expected to stay on for 13 months, and one supply ship is planned to reach them in December — next summer in Antarctica — according to the programme’s website.