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 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.

The school has not been named. The Star newspaper says some of the pupils who have not been able to return home have been moved to houses near the school on a temporary basis.

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