DION GEORGE | Antartica assault saga: 'We're committed to our team and our science'

As the news of the physical assault and sexual harassment investigation at our SANAE IV research base in Antarctica has rapidly gained global media attention this week, my team and I have worked hard to keep calm in a complex situation. As the Minister in the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), my main concern has not been about "containing" the situation but has been to ensure the well-being and safety of the team on base as well as the families they left at home.

One cannot begin to imagine how tough the conditions on the base can get if you have never been there. It is a realm of extremes: unforgiving, isolated, and still ever so awe-inspiring. That is why this matter was taken seriously from the minute it was reported to me.

For over five decades, South Africa has stood tall, driving scientific discovery through the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP). In my role as the DFFE Minister, I am also responsible for heading up the programme and ensuring that our presence, not just as a nation, but as the only African country on this continent, remains a beacon of excellence.

Recent events at our SANAE IV base, have highlighted the interpersonal complexities of this pioneering operation, which we have been working very hard to find ways to manage without compromising human dignity and safety.

For context, our overwintering teams are chosen through a process as rigorous as the environment they face. Technical skills, psychological fortitude, medical history, and interpersonal dynamics are all assessed with painstaking detail. Every candidate undergoes an independent psychometric assessment to ensure they can endure the isolation and confinement of Antarctica. Before boarding the SA Agulhas II, they train together, forging the relationships that sustain them through 13 months of trying conditions. This isn’t a haphazard effort, it’s a proven system that reflects our commitment to excellence.

Even so, no amount of preparation can fully forecast how individuals will adapt once they reach the SANAE IV base.

On 27 February 2025, an alleged assault between two team members was reported. Our response was immediate. Alongside Director-General Nomfundo Tshabalala, we took charge, activating a robust plan to address the situation. Trained professionals are working with the team almost daily, mediating and rebuilding trust, while a Labour Relations process tackles the physical assault and investigates an alleged sexual harassment claim. Misreports of sexual assault have been swiftly corrected.

The individual involved has shown accountability, willingly engaging in further psychological evaluations, expressing remorse, and has formally apologised. He’s committed to participating in our interventions. Meanwhile, we’ve rolled out sustained counselling services to foster a healthy, cohesive environment. My position is firm: we tolerate no misconduct and we also stand by our people, guiding them with support and discipline.

This moment matters deeply. As winter grips Antarctica and other bases halt operations, SANAE IV remains a vital hub for climate research. As I have repeatedly said, the team’s well-being is my top concern. I am in direct contact with the team, reaffirming to them that they remain a priority as well as expressing appreciation for their resilience in the face of adversity. The team will also be communicating with an individual from my office should they wish to raise any areas of concern, whether related to the incident or not.

Our wellness programme and independent counselling aren’t designed to be short-term fixes. They are instead, the foundation of a long-term strategy to ensure that the current team on base and future teams thrive.

I would like to take this moment to request the public and the media not to sensationalise this matter. In my online meeting with the team this week, we had a very productive conversation on the way forward, including their well-being and on the very important work that needs to be done on the base.

South Africa’s Antarctic legacy is one of pride and persistence. From SANAE IV to our bases on Marion and Gough Islands, we’re unravelling the mysteries of climate variability in Earth’s most extreme corners. Together, we’ll ensure our team emerges stronger, united in their pursuit of science that serves South Africa and the world.