A woman who used to work at Oprah Winfrey’s school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa has been taken into custody and charged with abuse and sexual assault, police said Friday.

According to police spokesman Superintended Lunge Dlamini, the 27-year-old former dormitory matron at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls has been arrested yesterday by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit on several charges of abuse, including indecent assault, crimen injuria and soliciting girls under age to perform indecent acts.

"She is currently in custody and we are not investigating any other person," the spokesman added.

Following the arrest, Oprah released a statement on Friday thanking the South African Police Services for their efforts.

"I am grateful for their compassion and sensitivity to the girls during this difficult time. It means the world to me. It is my deepest hope that the accused is brought to justice and that this serves as a reminder that any time a child has the courage to step forward, it is our duty as adults to listen and take immediate action," she said.

The arrest comes after a series of complaints from school students after the school announced it had suspended a dormitory matron for misconduct last month.

A girl attending the school said she had been fondled while others reported being sworn at, grabbed by the neck, beaten or thrown against a wall.

According to local media, Winfrey, who hand-picked the school’s 152 students, all of whom excel academically, issued a heartfelt apology to parents and pupils during an emergency school meeting.

"I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Oprah was quoted by News24.com as telling the parents who said they didn’t think Oprah was responsible for anything that happened.

"I trusted [the school principal]," Oprah said. "When I appointed her, I thought she was passionate about the children of Africa. But, I've been disappointed."

The talk show host visited the $40 million school which opened in January twice over the past several weeks to keep an eye on the ongoing investigation.