Oprah Winfrey has said she is "profoundly disappointed" after a woman accused of abusing teenagers at the talk show host's school for girls in South Africa was acquitted.
Prosecutors had accused former school matron Tiny Virginia Makopo of trying to kiss and fondle the girls. Among the 14 charges, she also accused of assaulting one of the teens as well as a fellow supervisor.
"She was found not guilty on all of the charges," said prosecutor Etienne Venter, adding that the state would not seek an appeal, according to Sapa news agency.
Mthunzi Mhaga, a spokesman for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, said: "The magistrate indicated that the state did not prove itself case beyond reasonable doubt on all the charges. We won't be appealing the judgment."
The scandal erupted at Oprah's 40 million dollar Leadership Academy near Johannesburg soon after it opened in 2007.
Oprah said she appreciated efforts by the prosecutor and police and treating the girls with utmost care and respect.
At the time, Oprah said she had been "shaken to the core" by the sexual abuse claims, calling the episode one of the most devastating of her life.
She said on Monday the school's staff are "committed to providing a nurturing educational environment so that all of our girls may continue to flourish. And they are indeed thriving".
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