A real-life horror movie is playing out at South Africa's isolated Antarctica base where one of the 10-member overwintering team faces accusations of being mentally unstable and violent, prompting intervention by the government.
Urgent efforts are under way to ease tensions inside the base as the team is almost entirely cut off from the outside world for the next 10 months due to encroaching ice and fierce winter weather.
An investigation into alleged misconduct is under way, confirmed by the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment (DFFE) which manages the South African National Antarctic Programme.
“The department is responding to these concerns with the utmost urgency and have had a number of interventions with all parties concerned at the base,” said DFFE communications chief Peter Mbelengwa. “A full investigation is being commissioned and the department will act accordingly in relation to any wrong conduct against any official that has misconducted themselves.”
Much of the drama is described in an e-mail sent last month by a team member pleading for "immediate action" to ensure their safety at the remote Sanae IV base on a cliff edge about 170km inland from the ice shelf. Environment minister Dion George confirmed seeing the e-mail and has intervened.
It claimed a rogue team member physically assaulted and threatened to kill a colleague, and sexually assaulted another. "His behaviour has become increasingly egregious, and I am experiencing significant difficulty in feeling secure in his presence,” it read. “It is imperative that immediate action is taken to ensure my safety and the safety of all employees.
“Regrettably, [his] behaviour has escalated to a point that is deeply disturbing. Specifically, he physically assaulted [name withheld], which is a grave violation of personal safety and workplace norms.
“Furthermore, he threatened to kill [name withheld], creating an environment of fear and intimidation. I remain deeply concerned about my own safety, constantly wondering if I might become the next victim.”
The e-mail said "numerous concerns" were raised about the man's conduct by the overwintering team before the SA Agulhas II departed the frozen continent on its return journey, when there was still a chance to evacuate the alleged troublemaker.
Two sources with inside knowledge said the only way to leave the base now was via emergency medical evacuation to a neighbouring German base about 300km away. “They were informed of the situation [at Sanae IV] well in advance — way before the season closed .... Now there's nothing they can do as there are no planes or ships going to or leaving Antarctica,” said one.
“They had all the time to remedy the situation but they simply buried their heads in the sand hoping that it'll go away. They were informed about the problem as early as December.”
It's not the first time the country's Antarctic programme has encountered personnel issues. A team member was removed from Marion Island base six years ago after allegedly running amok with an axe.
Questions have been raised about the veracity of psychometric tests done to ensure the team can endure the psychological stress of isolation. But the department said all team members passed initial screening tests. “In this instance, no negative outcomes were recorded in relation to all the overwinterers in Sanae, which forms a critical component of the departments risk assessment processes,” said Mbelengwa.
Now the department plans to reassess the team. "[They] are being taken through a thorough process and their various options are being discussed. During this unforeseen incident, the department is engaging with the professional that undertook the psychometric evaluation, to have the overwinterers reassessed 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."
The department said the situation was being monitored on a near daily basis.
Each over-wintering team spends about 15 months at the base — 10 of which are in isolation. The remainder involves two handing-over periods, initially with the preceding team, and then with the replacement team. The 4,000km ocean journey to get there from Cape Town takes 10-15 days, depending on the amount of ice on the way.
South Africa also has research stations on Marion Island and Gough Island. Research projects range from geomagnetic and space observations, to analysis of ocean currents, plants and animals.
Antarctica is a harsh environment in winter, with a record low temperature recorded of -88°C. According to the DFFE website, wind speeds can reach up to 350km/h. At the height of winter there is no sun.
In 2017 a team member at Marion Island attacked a colleague with a frying pan in the kitchen, then trashed his room with an axe.
At least two other team members have been evacuated during previous expeditions, one from the Sanae IV base and another from Gough after brandishing a knife.
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