Sex scandal hits Oprah school

2009-03-29 10:06

Gavin Prins

Johannesburg - In a second sex scandal in less than a year, TV's most powerful woman, Oprah Winfrey, has suspended seven girls from her posh school at Henley-on-Klip near Vereeniging.

They were allegedly involved in sexual activities. The suspended girls apparently tried to have relationships with other girls in the school and touched other girls' private parts.

Another bizarre claim was that one of the suspended girls, Lebohang Hinne, 15, allegedly tried to push pupils into having relationships with one another.

Four girls heard on Thursday that they were not to return to the school after the holiday. Four of the girls were found guilty on Tuesday and another three attended a hearing on Saturday.

Oprah's spokesperson, Lisa Halliday, confirmed from Chicago that the girls had been suspended. "It is because they contravened the school's code of conduct. We regard the incident as confidential."

She said no personal information would be revealed about the suspensions.

Rapport was in possession of a letter, which was sent to Lebohang Hinne, stating: "You... are accused of having physical contact of a sexual nature with another pupil on the campus, intimidation and that you bullied other pupils on the campus and were dishonest by not telling the whole truth to investigators."

Lebohang said the claims were untrue and caused by jealous girls spreading rumours about her.

- Rapport