Oprah Winfrey’s elite boarding school for girls in South Africa has been rocked by its second sex scandal in fewer than two years.
Seven students were suspended last week for sexually harassing their schoolmates, the “Afrikaans on Sunday” newspaper reported.
One 15-year-old was accused of preying on another pupil and forcing other girls to lie to investigators about it, the paper reported.
“You have been found guilty of physical contact of a sexual nature with another pupil on campus, harassment, bullying other girls on campus and of being dishonest by not telling investigators the whole truth,” a letter to her parents read.
Other girls were caught fondling each other or trying to get other girls to join them in lesbian liasons, the paper reported.
Oprah’s spokesperson, Lisa Halliday, confirmed the girls had been suspended from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy School for Girls - but gave few details.
“It is because they contravened the school’s code of conduct,” she said. “We regard the incident as confidential.”
UPDATE: (4.01.09) OPRAH WINFREY RELEASES STATEMENT VIA ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT:
In a statement, Oprah expresses her regret that as many as seven girls allegedly sexually harassed other students. A spokesperson for the school says students were told to leave for violating the code of conduct, but said it was “a confidential school matter.”
“I’m disappointed that several of our students chose to disregard the school’s rules. It’s disheartening when any student has to be suspended or expelled and it’s a process that involves serious review and consideration,” Oprah says in the statement. “We insist on maintaining a campus environment that commands mutual respect, fosters academic excellence and encourages learners to fulfill their best potential.”
She continues, “Indiscretions resulting in disciplinary action are common in schools all over the world. Unfortunately, because of my name these common infractions place the Academy in the media spotlight.”
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