Woman acquitted of abuse charges at Oprah's S.African school
AFP
JOHANNESBURG- A former dormitory matron at Oprah Winfrey's elite South African school was found not guilty Monday of sexually assaulting girls at the academy the US star founded outside Johannesburg.
"She was found not guilty on all of the charges," said prosecutor Etienne Venter, adding that the state would not seek an appeal, according to Sapa news agency.
Oprah Winfrey'
At the time Winfrey said she had been "shaken to the core" by sexual abuse claims at her elite girls' school, calling the episode one of the most devastating of her life.
On Monday the US talk show mega-star expressed her disappointment at the verdict.
"We began this child molestation trial in July 2008. More than two years later, I am profoundly disappointed at the outcome of the trial," she said in a statement.
"I will forever be proud of the nine girls who testified with the courage and conviction to be heard."
Much of the evidence in the trial came from students who testified behind closed doors because of their age.
The multi-million-dollar school -- founded with Winfrey's own money -- opened in 2007 in a ceremony attended by Nelson Mandela.
The girls at the school are aged between 11 and 13, and were chosen after an initial 3,500 applications, with Winfrey choosing the final 152 for their academic and leadership qualities as well as their disadvantaged background.
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