/ 25 April 2008

Case of former Oprah school matron delayed

The Sebokeng Magistrate’s Court on Friday postponed until July the trial of a former dormitory matron of United States talk-show host Oprah Winfrey’s girls academy, who has been charged with abusing minors.

Virginia Makgobo (27), arrested in November and out on bail, appeared in the court to face charges of indecent and common assault, and soliciting a minor to perform indecent acts and verbal abuse.

The court postponed the case until July 29, when Makgobo is scheduled to enter her plea and the trial is to begin.

Makgobo arrived at the court wearing a dark skirt, jacket and sunglasses, and did not hide her face from photographers as she had during past court appearances.

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