South Africa school dormitory closes

South African education officials are investigating reports that a girls\' boarding school dormitory was closed because of lesbian relationships.



Two girls who were caught kissing reportedly said that other pupils were involved in same-sex relationships, and 27 pupils were expelled.



Rights activists say the high school in the KwaZulu-Natal province has overreacted.



South Africa is the only African country to guarantee freedom from discrimination to homosexuals.



However, activists say that prejudice remains common.



Education Department spokesman Sihle Mlotshwa is quoted as saying that schools do not have the right to remove or expel pupils because of their sexual orientation.