Minneapolis Business Lawyer

Oprah Winfrey has been named as the defendant in a defamation suit being filed in Pennsylvania by Nomvuyo Mzamane, the former headmistress of a girls’ school Winfrey opened in South Africa a few years ago. The suit concerns comments Winfrey made to the South African press following a sexual abuse scandal at the school. A former dorm matron, Tiny Virginia Makopo, has been charged with 14 counts of kissing, fondling, and sometimes hitting or kicking some of her students. When speaking to the press about these incidents, Winfrey allegedly expressed disappointment with Mzamane for failure to find and prevent this abuse.

Mzamane, who returned to Philadelphia after being let go from her position at The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, claims she has been unable to find work because of the alleged comments. She is seeking over $250,000. Winfrey denies saying anything untrue or inflammatory, and has asked that the suit be dismissed.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of defamation, contact Minneapolis defamation attorneys Skjold-Barthel at 612-746-2560.