South Africa

I am back in South Africa for the second time this year. The story that brought me here is a disturbing one. A dorm matron at Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Adademy for Girls in Johannesburg has been arrested on multiple charges of abuse. The allegations are that the 27-year-old woman sexually abused one girl and physically abused several others. There are a total of 7 victims - 6 girls and one adult. The dorm matron's name is Tiny Makopo and she is to be formally charged on Monday.

Oprah released a special statement to me today that said "This has been a huge blow. but you learn from your mistakes. I would very much like to look Tiny in the eye, like any parent would and ask why and how could you do this?"

Oprah has flown in a trauma specialist to help the girls deal with this horrible ordeal. She is going to conduct a satellite interview with South African press on Monday.

As soon as Oprah found out about the abuse, she flew in with a team of investigators and they interviewed the staff and the girls. They, then, turned over that information to the South African police authority who, after conducting their own investigation, issued a warrant for Makopo's arrest. Makopo then turned herself in the police and is currently being held in a police cell.

Oprah says, in addition to to the pain she feels for the girls, she has been devastated by this herself because she, too, is a victim of sexual abuse. She called a meeting of the parents and students and told them how sorry she was that she let them down and vowed that she will do all she can to help them heal. The parents have expressed continued confidence in Oprah and truly believe that she has made a positive difference in these children's lives.

Today, I journeyed to Soweto to speak with a woman who has a daughter and granddaughter at the school. I'll have more on her next time.