Oprah held a press conference to discuss the abuse allegations. Oprah told of the arrest of a caregiver. According to People.com,"Tiny Makopo – a residential caregiver at Winfrey's Leadership Academy – did not have to enter a plea at the hearing but indicated she would plead not guilty to the charges.
Mokopo, wearing a black Adidas shirt and long green corduroy skirt, said she understood the charges against her – 13 counts of indecent assault, common assault, soliciting or enticing a minor through the commission of an indecent or immoral act and crimen inuria, which means verbal abuse.
Prosecutors asked for stringent bail conditions, noting that Mokopo allegedly abused seven victims, at least six of whom were 13-14 years old. Magistrate Thelma Simpson released Mokopo on 3,000 rand bail (about the equivalent of $450).
The magistrate ordered Mokopo to report weekly to the police station in Sebokeng, a township south of Johannesburg. She also forbid Mokopo from having any contact with staff or students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy.
Mokopo left the courthouse in a car driven by one of her friends, avoiding a crowd of photographers waiting for her. Winfrey, who has called for justice in the case, said in a press conference Monday with South African police: "This has been one of the most devastating – if not the most devastating – experience of my entire life." That is how you handle your business! No sweeping it under a rug or paying people off. You go to te source and handle it! Go Oprah!
