Minister responds to scientists at Antarctic base rocked by alleged assault

Loading player...
A group of scientists due to work together for months at a remote Antarctic research station has been rocked after a member of the team was accused of physical assault. A team of nine researchers were due to spend the Antarctic winter at the South African-run base, which sits about 170km (about 105 miles) from the edge of the ice shelf and is difficult to reach. According to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment officials immediately activated the response plan in order to mediate and restore relations at the base. Phemelo speaks to Minister Deon George to find out what government is doing to step in.
19 Mar 2025 4PM English South Africa Education · Careers

Other recent episodes

Legal Matters: When courts override parents on medical care

In this week’s Legal Matters, Nthabiseng Dubazana unpacks a complex case where a court stepped in to authorise life-saving surgery for a six-year-old child after the parents refused on religious and traditional grounds. She also looks at a separate case involving fraud and admission as a legal practitioner, and more.
8 Apr 4PM 52 min

US-Iran ceasefire holds - but tensions remain

A fragile two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran has paused weeks of escalating conflict that threatened a wider regional war. Brokered by Pakistan, the truce has eased pressure on global shipping routes, with Iran allowing movement through the Strait of Hormuz again. But despite the breakthrough, tensions remain…
8 Apr 4PM 31 min

DA slams SANDF deployment in Cape Town

The Democratic Alliance says the deployment of SANDF troops in Cape Town’s gang hotspots is already failing- just a week after it began. This comes after eight people, including three children, were shot in Mitchells Plain on Tuesday. The DA says 36 people have been killed since the army’s arrival,…
8 Apr 4PM 9 min

Riverlea school fire destroys nine classrooms

Nine classrooms at Riverlea Secondary School in Gauteng have been destroyed in an overnight fire, affecting more than 300 learners. Education MEC Lebogang Maile has condemned the incident as criminal and “unjustifiable” following a walkabout at the school. While Grades 10 to 12 continue with lessons, Grades 8 and 9…
8 Apr 4PM 11 min