Ex-Headmistress Sues Oprah for Defamation

Sat., Oct. 4, 2008 10:20 AM PDT by Jovie Baclayon

TIM OGIER / ABC

Oprah Winfrey is being sued by the former headmistress of the Big O's Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

The civil lawsuit filed by Nomvuyo Mzamane claims that Oprah made defamatory comments to the media implying that Mzamane is "untrustworthy, failed the students of the academy, did not care about the students at the academy, knew of alleged physical and sexual abuse at the academy and participated in a cover-up of the alleged abuse." (View the lawsuit)

A scandal broke out at the school in October 2007 when another female staff member was accused of physically and sexually abusing students. That trial resumes Oct. 8.

Mzamane, who says she knew nothing about the allegations, was ousted in November 2007 and says she hasn't been able to find comparable work since.

She is seeking to salvage her professional reputation...and $250,000 plus damages.

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