Big O school scandal: Ex-matron cleared of abuse, Oprah 'disappointed'

The former dormitory matron, Tiny Virginia Makopo, was accused of abusing teenagers at the daytime TV queen's prestigious school for girls in South Africa.

In addition to sexual abuse charges, prosecutors had accused Makopo of pushing a 13-year-old against a wall and pressing her thumbs against the girl's windpipe.

The former dormitory matron had pleaded not guilty to 14 charges of sexual abuse and assault.

Ex-matron’s acquittal
The 30-year-old ex school matron was found not guilty on Monday, Oct. 11, 2010, of allegations that she tried to kiss and fondle six young girl students at the campus and of assaulting a fellow supervisor shortly after the school opened in 2007.

In addition to sexual abuse charges, prosecutors had accused Makopo of pushing a 13-year-old against a wall and pressing her thumbs against the girl's windpipe.

"The matron who was working at the Oprah Winfrey school was found not guilty on all the sexual assault charges," the Associated Press cited Mthunzi Mhaga, a spokesman for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, as saying on Monday. "The magistrate was of the view that the state had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that she was guilty. We won't be appealing the judgment."

Oprah disappointed with verdict
Winfrey, the daytime television queen, said she was extremely disappointed that the woman was cleared of charges of sexually abusing girls at her academy.

"We began this child molestation trial in July 2008," Winfrey said in a written statement. "More than two years later, I am profoundly disappointed at the outcome of the trial."

Praised girls and thanked police and prosecutor
The popular U.S. talk show host praised the girls who testified courageously in her school's former matron's trial, reports CNN.

“I will forever be proud of the nine girls who testified with the courage and conviction to be heard,” she continued.

Winfrey also thanked prosecutor Etienne Venter and police "who sought justice and treated the girls with the utmost care and respect."

School committed to provide good education
Principal Anne van Zyl at the extravagant $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, was also disappointed that former school matron is cleared of child abuse and assault charges, but said the school, which is home to about 300 girls from across the country, would continue offering good education.

“We have already moved forward and will continue to do so because at the academy we are preparing young women to be future leaders of South Africa,” said van Zyl.