Bodycam shows Mel Viljoen denying US shoplifting allegations, defending husband

The Real Housewives of Pretoria star Mel Viljoen appears on bodycam footage denying allegations of involvement in a shoplifting scheme at a Florida supermarket and repeatedly defending her husband, Peet Viljoen, during questioning by US detectives.

Footage from Florida interrogation

The footage, published by broadcaster eNCA, shows Mel Viljoen seated in an interrogation room as a female detective questions her about surveillance and self-checkout scans at a Boca Raton supermarket. The couple were arrested in Boca Raton, Florida, and have since returned to South Africa.

When the detective asked Mel to explain how the alleged shoplifting scheme worked, Mel replied,

“I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”

The detective pointed to surveillance that allegedly showed cheaper items being scanned in place of more expensive products. When asked how items priced at about 70 cents were scanned instead of products worth $16.99, Mel closed her eyes and said,

“I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

Defending her husband

During the interview Mel repeatedly sought to shield her husband, saying at one point,

“It was me shopping. It wasn’t my husband.”

The detective told Mel that both she and Peet appeared on camera and described an alleged incident where the couple paid 79 cents for sparkling water that cost $23.99, allowing them to leave with large trolleys of groceries for about $50. The detective also alleged that, when the self-checkout failed, Peet walked out with groceries.

Mel’s responses included,

“Maybe there’s a misunderstanding.”

and

“I’m not sure yet. You’ll have to give me more information.”

When asked whether Peet believed the groceries had been paid for, she said,

“I’m sure.”

On the suggestion that Peet had acknowledged the groceries had not been paid for she replied,

“Oh, shame. He didn’t know. He thought I was shopping.”

Wider legal troubles

Peet Viljoen is reportedly facing about 400 charges including fraud, theft, corruption, forgery and uttering linked to an alleged R27.6 million Johannesburg Property Company fraud scheme. The Hawks allege that in May 2010 several properties owned by the Johannesburg Property Company were unlawfully sold to bona fide purchasers and that the company never received payment.

The couple are also subject to a US court order to pay Tammy Taylor USA about R71 million in damages for trademark infringement, and face allegations from South African franchisees claiming losses after buying franchises from a company the couple did not own.

Peet Viljoen was arrested on 16 June after being deported from the United States, where he had been held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility. He was arrested on arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, detained for two nights at Sunnyside Police Station and later transferred to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria. Peet Viljoen’s bail application is scheduled to resume on 23 July 2026.

Investigation cooperation ends with private investigator

Private investigator Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services said he has ended his cooperation with Mel Viljoen following fundraising campaigns launched to raise funds for Peet’s legal defence. Bolhuis said BackaBuddy removed campaigns seeking to raise R400,000 for Peet’s legal costs and criticised Mel for acting independently.

In a statement quoted in the source, Bolhuis said,

“She did not consult or inform Specialised Security Services about these campaigns. She acted independently, contrary to the spirit of the agreement.”

He also criticised a protest held outside court and alleged Mel delayed handing over information needed for the investigation, while stressing that ending the cooperation would not stop the investigations.

What remains

Bodycam footage and the interrogation capture Mel Viljoen consistently denying knowledge of the alleged shoplifting scheme and defending her husband’s awareness of payment. Investigations and court processes connected to the wider allegations against the Viljoens are ongoing.