Disbarred SA lawyer and alleged shoplifter Peet Viljoen implored a US immigration judge to send him home as soon as possible because his father, Petrus, is reportedly suffering from prostate cancer and is dying.

Peet’s sister, Santa Olivier, confirmed to News24’s sister publication Rapport that their father was ill, but could not confirm whether it was indeed prostate cancer.

According to News24, she declined to comment further about her brother. On Thursday, Peet appeared virtually from prison in California before Judge Vikram Badrinath to apply to leave the country voluntarily and return to SA.

His wife, Mel, has already returned to this country. 

Rapport attended the hearing virtually. When it became clear that Badrinath was not impressed with the application – partly because Peet still faces trial on a shoplifting charge – he pleaded for the judge’s compassion.

Badrinath initially wanted to postpone the case so that Peet’s lawyer, Bradley Guarino-Sanders, and the state prosecutor could present their arguments for and against voluntary departure. Guarino-Sanders agreed to a special hearing, until Peet made a plea himself.

‘Judge, may I just say something? My medical condition here is really deteriorating. I have learnt in the meantime that my father is dying of prostate cancer in SA … I have been begging to leave the country. I have given my full co-operation. My wife has already explained the Publix matter (the theft case), and a Publix employee assisted her. She scanned the items, and I never did,’ he said.

‘I beg this court: if you cannot grant me permission to leave voluntarily, then order that I be deported. I beg the court to allow me to at least greet my father before he dies,’ he said.

Badrinath expressed sympathy for the situation.

‘Given the fact that you have a pending theft case for a significant amount, $3 000, I am not inclined to grant you voluntary departure without hearing your case and the state’s case,’ he said.

Peet then asked if he could admit that he is in the country illegally and thus be deported.

News24 reports that Badrinath warned Peet he would not be able to return to the US.  Peet replied: ‘That’s fine … I never want to come back.’

Guarino-Sanders then suggested to the judge that he and Peet withdraw the application for voluntary departure and that a deportation order be granted.

Badrinath granted Peet’s request and reminded him that he also cannot apply for asylum.

He may also not return to the US for 10 years, until June 2036.

Peet indicated that the court should deport him to Cape Town and later told Rapport that he and Mel wanted to settle there.

Full News24 report