/ 16 January 2008

Case of former Oprah school matron postponed

A South African court on Wednesday postponed the case of abuse against a former dormitory matron of United States talk-show host Oprah Winfrey’s girls academy.

Virginia Mokgobo (27), arrested in November and out on bail, appeared in the Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court, south of Johannesburg, to face charges of indecent and common assault, soliciting a minor to perform indecent acts and verbal abuse.

Magistrate Beki Mohalelo postponed the case to April 21, when Mokgobo will stand trial.

Mokgobo entered the court wearing a towel over her head to avoid photographers and cameramen outside. She did not speak during her court appearance, and wore a cap pulled low to cover her face.

Family and friends of Mokgobo shielded her and screamed abuse at the media as they left the court house.

Winfrey, a billionaire philanthropist who has herself told of suffering sexual abuse as a child, has described the charges against the matron as one of the most devastating experiences of her life. — Reuters