SOUTH AFRICA:A former employee at Oprah Winfrey's school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa has been arrested on charges of abuse and sexual assault.
Police said yesterday that at least seven alleged abuse victims had submitted statements about the woman, who was suspended by the school last month when one of the girls came forward to make a complaint.
In a statement, police spokesman Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said the suspect was being held by police and was due to appear before a court on Monday.
The statement read: "A former dormitory employee (27) has been arrested by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit on several charges of abuse.
"Several charges including alleged assault, indecent assault, crimen injuria and soliciting girls under age to perform indecent acts are being investigated against her." Crimen injuria refers to the crime of injuring another person's dignity.
This can cover racial abuse and sexual offences against children.
The Oprah Windfrey Leadership Academy for Girls has been tight-lipped about the allegations. But parents at the school told local media they related to the alleged "fondling" of one of the pupils, and the assault of another.
The Rand 268 million (€27 million) school, catering for 150 girls hand-picked by the chat-show queen, has been embroiled in controversy since it was opened last January. A number of parents complained about the academy's strict rules governing pupil behaviour, as well as limitations on family visits.
Some people also questioned whether the money invested in the school would be better spent on educating a larger number of children.
Located at Henley-On-Klip, near Vereeniging, 80km south of Pretoria, the academy features state-of-the-art science labs, computer rooms, a 600-seat theatre, and even a yoga room, laid out over 52 manicured acres.