Oprah must answer defamation case

American Chat show queen Oprah Winfrey must defend a case brought against her by the former headmistress of the South African girl's school she set up, a judge has ruled.

A judge in Philadelphia has ruled Oprah Winfrey must defend a defamation case filed against her by the former headmistress of the chat show star's girls' school. In 2007, Oprah opened the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa after pledging to build the academy following a meeting with Nelson Mandela in 2002. Girls from low-income families were invited to apply for the initial 150 places at the school. However, shortly after opening, sex abuse complaints arose at the school. A former matron was later charged with abusing six students in an episode Oprah later described as one of the most devastating experiences of her life.

The school's headmistress at the time of the controversy, Nomvuho Mzamane, claims Oprah made defamatory remarks about her to the press. While the TV star's legal team argued the remarks simply reflected Oprah opinions, the judge ruled they were potentially defamatory. "They ascribed to conduct which would render her [Mzamane] unfit for her profession as an educator," Judge Eduardo Robreno. A trial has been set for 29 March in Philadelphia.

More celebrity gossip on handbag.com.

Liked that? Read these...

Post Your Comment

You can find us here...
Member benefits
  • Free weekly newsletter
  • Talk to forum members
  • Win 100s of freebies
SIGN UP TODAY
Competitions & Offers

  • Win a  £5,000 'Bejeweled' Diamond & Sapphire Ring read more>>


  • New Year, New Drinking Habits – the Healthy Drink Celebrities Are Going Nuts For! read more>>


  • Win £500 of Superdrug vouchers with Surveys.co.uk read more>>


  • WIN an amazing Lucky Voice VIP party worth £500! read more>>


  • Win A Two Night Stay For Two People At Over 70 Hotels UK Wide! read more>>


  • Beat the winter blues with a Girls’ Night In and a chance to win, with Crazy, Stupid, Love. read more>>

Promotions