Johannesburg - A former employee of Oprah Winfrey's school for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa appeared in court Monday on charges including assault and indecent assault involving pupils at the school. The 27-year-old former dormitory matron was released on bail of 3,000 rand by Sebokeng magistrate's court, located in Gauteng province, and ordered to appear again in court on December 13.
The accused is charged with indecent assault, assault, crimen injuria and soliciting underage pupils at Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in Henley-on-Klip outside Johannesburg to perform indecent acts.
On Monday she indicated she would be pleading not guilty to all charges, SAfm public radio reported.
As part of her bail conditions the suspect has been barred from contact with staff or pupils at the school, which US talkshow queen Winfrey opened amid much fanfare in January 2007 at a cost of close to 300 million rand (46 million dollars).
Six pupils and one adult have submitted statements to the police outlining allegations against the woman in a case that has drawn profuse apologies from Winfrey.
"It means the world to me," Winfrey said in a statement on the affair issued last week.
"...this serves as a reminder that any time a child has the courage to step forward it is our duty as adults to listen and take immediate action," she added.
Winfrey has made at least two crisis visits to the school in recent weeks, during which she was reported to have apologized to parents telling them "I have disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
The billionaire entertainer personally interviewed many of the 150 girls selected to study at the school, which boasts a gym, a theatre and a well-stocked library, among other facilities.
