SA reality TV couple arrested in the US
Controversial reality TV couple Mel and Peet Viljoen have been arrested in the US for allegedly shoplifting groceries worth more than $5 300.
Boca Raton police detained them on Tuesday and charged with aggravated grand retail theft.
They are each being held on $10 000 bond, People reported.
The Real Housewives of Pretoria star and her husband were arrested at a routine traffic stop, while driving their black Range Rover – the same vehicle believed to have been used during the alleged theft.
News24 reports that police said they carried out a six-month retail theft scheme from August 2025 through March 2026, targeting a Publix supermarket.
In 2025, it was reported that the couple had relocated to the US, with Peet going on a racist tirade to the media, saying they wanted to get away from black South Africans and black economic empowerment.
Daily Maverick reports that their arrests now add to the mountain of other legal issues they have been embroiled in.
Peet was apparently disbarred as an attorney more than a decade ago.
In 2011, an IoL news report (about an incident in which the word 'monkeys' was construed as a slur) described him as 'Pretoria underworld’s self-styled celebrity lawyer'.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
