US Edition
'The Real Housewives of Pretoria' couple arrested in Palm Beach County for theft
Mel and Peet Viljoen allegedly stole $5,302 worth of groceries over six months using ticket-switching and self-checkout schemes, claiming survival mode after moving to the U.S. without work visas.
- On March 10, 2026, Petrus 'Peet' Jacobus Viljoen and Melany Viljoen were taken into custody following a traffic stop involving their black Range Rover in Boca Raton, facing charges for alleged retail theft.
- After fleeing South Africa last year, the Viljoens allegedly visited the Boca Raton Publix at 1001 South Federal Highway dozens of times from August 2025 to early March 2026 in a six‑month scheme.
- Security footage showed the pair using 'ticket switching' at self‑checkout lanes, with Publix data analysts and police reviewing 52 transactions and identifying 392 unpaid items including La Marca Prosecco and Coca‑Cola Zero.
- They were booked into the Main Detention Center, West Palm Beach, and released on $10,000 bond each; the case joins South African investigations into their franchise disputes and alleged fraud.
- Their public profile as reality TV figures from the Real Housewives of Pretoria, with prior Tammy Taylor disputes and Peet Viljoen disbarment, influences public perception amid controversy.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Mel and Peet Viljoen from 'The Real Housewives of Pretoria' arrested for shoplifting in the US
Reality TV stars Mel and Peet Viljoen, known for their appearances on 'The Real Housewives of Pretoria', have found themselves in legal trouble after being arrested in Boca Raton for theft, claiming they were in 'survival mode'.
Peet and Melany Viljoen 'arrested for shoplifting in America'
Real Housewives of Pretoria star Mel Viljoen and her husband Peet were reportedly arrested in the United States of America earlier this week after allegedly confessing to stealing for survival. The Viljoen couple first came under the spotlight for complaints about their Tammy Taylor nail brand and franchisees in South Africa, who claimed to have lost millions while doing business with the couple. The Viljoens fled South Africa for the US in Jul…
Real Housewives' Mel, Peet Viljoen arrested in US for shoplifting food
Real Housewives star Mel Viljoen and her husband, Peet Viljoen, had been arrested in the US after allegedly shoplifting groceries. According to a police report, the couple went on a “criminal spree” over the past six months. The Viljoens – who have a slew of legal disputes against them, including a Carte Blanche exposé on their alleged Tammy Taylor franchise fraud – swapped South Africa for America last year, where they intended to seek asylum d…
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