Oprah Winfrey Defamation Suit Trial – Media mogul Oprah Winfrey may not be able to talk herself out of a defamation suit by an ex-employee of her South Africa school.
Judge Eduardo has ruled that former headmistress Nomvuyo Mzamane has enough evidence to pursue her defamation claims against the talk show host, reports The Associated Press. Winfrey made the remarks in 2007 after student complaints of sexual inappropriateness by several staff members surfaced at the $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
Winfrey made remarks suggesting Mzamane was not trustworthy.
“I thought she cared about the girls of South Africa,” according to the October 2008 lawsuit.
Winfrey’s lawyers argued the remarks being used against Winfrey reflected her opinions as she spoke to parents during a meeting on Oct. 20, 2007 and a press conference held Nov. 5, 2007.
But the judge believes Winfrey’s words were damaging and is prepared to take the case to trial, ultimately letting a jury decide her fate.
“The implication that Mzamane was aware of abuse by the dorm parents and did not react accordingly is capable of defamatory meaning as it ascribes conduct which would render her unfit for her profession as an educator,” Robreno wrote in the 128-page opinion.
Mzamane returned to Philadelphia after her contract wasn’t renewed at Winfrey’s school, but has yet to secure stable employment. She feels she is unable to find work because of Winfrey’s comments.
The school opened in January 2007 in Johannesburg for 150-plus live-in students hand-selected by Winfrey. It was christened with a celebration attended by Nelson Mandela, Mariah Carey and other celebs. Presently, about 300 girls attend the free school grades 7 to 10 and plans are to add grades 11 and 12 by next year.
The trial is scheduled to start March 29 in Philadelphia.
