The former headmaster of Oprah Winfrey's South African Leadership Academy for Girls, filed a defamation lawsuit against the TV star in Philadelphia court Friday, according to People magazine.Nomvuyo Mzamane claims she had nothing to do with the allegations that are still unfolding in criminal court in South Africa. Mzamane says she suffers from "depression, anxiety and insomnia," and her professional reputation has been ruined as a result of the allegations.
Court documents in the civil suit say Winfrey "launched what amounted to a defamatory campaign" against Mzamane late last year by implying in comments to the media 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."
Mzamane, 39, also filed a defamation suit against the blog the Huffington Post.
Mzamane has said there was no cover-up at the school and she knew nothing about the allegations.
Since her termination, Mzamane has not been able to find comparable work and suffers from "depression, anxiety and insomnia," the suit states. She is asking for $50,000 for each of the five different claims, according to People.
Meanwhile, the trial for Tiny Virginia Makopo will continue Oct. 22 in South Africa. The 28-year-old woman is accused of indecently assaulting and abusing six teenagers at Oprah Winfrey's school for poor South African girls.
Oprah School Pictures
U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, centre, and students are seen during the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in the small town of Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened a school Tuesday for disadvantaged girls, fulfilling a promise she made to former President Nelson Mandela six years ago and giving more than 150 students a chance for a better future. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and learners cut the ribbon at the official opening of her Leadership Academy for Girls School at Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened the world class school for poor but talented South African girls fulfilling a long-cherished dream and a promise to her hero, Nelson Mandela. (AP Photo/Denis Farell)
U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, second left, and students are seen during the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in the small town of Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened a school Tuesday for disadvantaged girls, fulfilling a promise she made to former President Nelson Mandela six years ago and giving more than 150 students a chance for a better future. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
This photo supplied by Harpo Productions Inc. U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, right, shares a podium with former South African President Nelson Mandela, left, as students look on, during the official opening of Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls School at Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened the world class school for poor but talented South African girls fulfilling a long-cherished dream and a promise to Mandela. (AP Photo/Harpo Productions Inc)
Talk show host and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey talks to journalists before the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Meyerton, outside Johannesburg January 2, 2007. Winfrey started the private learning and residential institution for girls in grades 7-12 who show outstanding promise despite their social circumstances. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA)
US talk show host Oprah Winfrey, center front, applauds with schoolgirls in Johannesburg, Monday Aug. 20, 2006, during her brief vists to South Africa to interview prospective pupils for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. South African police questioned eight people Friday, August 25, 2006, after discovering an investment scam that used Winfrey's name. Some 500 hopefuls crowded into a community center in the eastern city of Grahamstown, South Africa, after being told that they had to make asimple payment of 10 rands (US$1.4,1 euro) and would receive 1,200 rands (US$168, 131 euros) per month for 10 years. (AP Photo/Benny Gool)
Comments: (85)
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By: Steve on 10/06/2008 3:54PM
who cares....
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By: LYNN on 10/06/2008 6:57PM
her azz should have done a better job of protecting the girls. all she is doing is making her face and name known to the world which is only going to make it worse for her.
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By: luvmyblackfolks on 10/06/2008 7:18PM
It would have been nice if Oprah started a school here in the states for poor African- American girls and boys.
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By: Holloman on 10/06/2008 7:51PM
what? in heaven's name.
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By: Blacklace101 on 10/06/2008 8:14PM
She should have done a better job protecting the girls she was the headmaster.... And I hope she doesn't get a damn dime. I am so sick of people always saying what Oprah should have done with her money. For those that wants to open a school here why don't you start your own mission. Oprah had the right to open a school in where in the world she wanted too. Why open up school for those that really don't want to learn.. African children understand the value of an education. American children including my don't give a hot days sweat they do it because we them... SO if you want a school start in your own community with fund raiser or whatever it takes. Let Oprah spend her money as she see fit... in other word get out of Oprah pocketbook.
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By: Ladybrille on 10/06/2008 8:36PM
Innocent until proven guilty. Does that pply in South Africa?
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By: ed on 10/06/2008 9:14PM
How can she sue in America if she's no a resident or citizen here? Also weren't these comments made in S. Africa?
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By: Margaret Jackson on 10/06/2008 10:28PM
Did any of you people worked and make this money for Oprah. I thought not, so she can spend her money anyway she wants to. You all need to earn some money and build a school, and get a life.
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By: MinisterEd on 10/06/2008 10:42PM
They criticized Jesus. Don't be like them. Oprah is saving lives, what are you doing?
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By: ThomasJones on 10/06/2008 11:01PM
When you have a woman that don,t believe in God and think that her money going to get her into heaven also leading people astray from God saying theirs a different way. See God will do thing just to show you who he is. she don't know what she has done or said,she is blind when it comes to the word of God. She can help all the poor people she want's but when judgement day comes she will know. The rich is falling by the waisteside and its all of God doing. Its going to be a major shift in the world and nothing her money can buy or she can give to stop what God is getting ready to do. What she has is worthless in the Lord sight. What she don't know when she fail it's not people hateing on her it's the Lord Jesus dealing with her.
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