south africa police oprahThe South African Police are alleging that they are being prevented from patrolling the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls campus. Members of the local police station are required to do regular patrols at all schools in their area - but not at Oprah's School.

"They don't want us there; they have told us that they have very tight security," said an Officer.

The same Officer claimed that on the day the academy opened, the station commander went to speak to the organizers because they had not been invited, but had read it was going to be "a high-profile gathering and Nelson Mandela was going to be present".

"Even then," the Officer further alleged, "they said we can patrol outside, they didn't want us on the premises."

The Officer expressed concern that, should anything happen at the school, the police would be required to go and investigate without having had proper prior contact with the management.

"I think Ms Winfrey is making a big mistake," he commented, "because even our deputy president's house was broken into and criminals always have a way, and the very security guys she has put her trust in can disappoint her."

Oprah's School CEO, John Samuel, states there is nothing wrong because the police are expected to patrol at public schools and their's is a private school.

"Yes, the police are required to patrol, but at public schools. We are not a regular private school. Ours is a unique school and we are working out what is in the girls' best interests," said Samuel. But he promised to schedule a meeting with the station commissioner "to clear any misunderstanding".
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