Oprah School Scandal - Here are pictures and video clips on the scandal engulfing Oprah’s school for underprivileged girls outside Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, which she launched to much fanfare in January, has been rocked by charges of employee misconduct.
The oprah school scandal involves abuse charges filed against a dorm mother who is accused of grabbing a student by the throat and throwing her against a wall, as well as swearing and screaming at the girls, assaulting them and sexually fondling at least one student.
Oprah has cancelled apearances and jetted off to the school for the second time in two weeks to aid in the investigation by South African police’s family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit (FCS). The matron has been temporarily suspended pending an investigation.
Oprah School Scandal Video
John Samuel, the chief executive of the academy, said in a statement that Oprah’s school has not been accused of any wrongdoing at this point in time.
“We have engaged professional investigators of the highest standing from South Africa and the United States to conduct a fair and impartial inquiry into these claims,” said Samuel.
The scandal erupted when  a pupil ran away after allegedly repeatedly being abused by a dormitory matron.
“Police are still taking several statements from the victims and the employees at the school,” said superintendent Lungelo Dlamini. “Once the police investigation has been finalised, criminal processes will be taken against the affected employee.”
Winfrey, who handpicked the 152 grade 7 and 8 pupils, flew to South Africa to see how the investigation was going.
“Nothing is more serious or devastating to me than an allegation of misconduct by an adult against any girl at the academy,” she said. “I will do everything within my power to ensure their safety and well-being.”
And that’s the latest on the Oprah School Scandal.
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October 25th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
[...] hitsusa wrote an interesting post today on Oprah School ScandalHere’s a quick excerpt… an adult against any girl at the academy,” she said. “I will do everything within my power to ensure their safety and well-being.” And that’s the latest on the Oprah School Scandal. Tags: News, Video, Celebrities, Web Site Traffic. [...]
October 26th, 2007 at 7:11 am
[...] more here [...]
November 4th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Look at Oprahs’ face, this is one women who seems to be forever trying to make a difference. Let’s stand behind her and not try to drag her down!
November 5th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
As an ex South African I regret the way the staff betrayed Oprah’s trust. This is a wondefrful thing that she is doing. Givng people a shot at life is always recommended. I have tried to do the same on a smaller scale and found that within the community there are unscupulous people on the prowl and seeking to benefit from the misfortune of other people. These are people who are from thier own communities. This is what has happened before and what is happening now. Poor Oprah was just a little naive in not understanding what she was up against. Corruption is unfortunately rife in South Africa and this is just another incident of it. I salute Oprah for what she is doing and really hope that this will serve to make her try even harder for these poor children.