Antarctic Researcher Apologizes After Assault and Threat Allegations

A South African scientist at the remote SANAE IV base has expressed remorse and is undergoing mediation after being accused of physical assault, sexual harassment, and issuing death threats.

The alleged incidents occurred in February 2025, with a team member reporting physical assault, sexual harassment, and death threats by a colleague in an email to South African authorities.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) launched an investigation and implemented daily mediation to address the situation and support the team’s well-being.
The accused researcher has shown remorse, undergone psychological evaluation, and issued a formal apology to the victim, with further counseling and mediation ongoing.
Evacuation of the team has been ruled out due to harsh Antarctic winter conditions, leaving the nine-member team confined to the SANAE IV base until December.
The incident has raised broader concerns about the psychological toll of extreme isolation, despite rigorous pre-deployment evaluations for team members.