Mel Viljoen’s second BackaBuddy fundraiser removed after alias raises eyebrows

Crowdfunding platform shuts down another campaign linked to Peet Viljoen’s legal defence

Just hours after one fundraising campaign was taken offline, another appeared.

This time, Mel Viljoen attempted to raise money for her husband, disbarred former attorney Peet Viljoen, through a new BackaBuddy campaign that appeared to have been created under a different name. However, the fundraiser was also removed after it underwent the platform’s review process.

The latest development has sparked widespread discussion online, with many South Africans questioning the decision to launch a second campaign so soon after the first was deactivated.

Second campaign appeared under a different name

The fundraiser, titled “Defence Fund Peet”, sought to raise R400,000 to assist with Peet Viljoen’s legal expenses.

Although the campaign listed “Tammy van Merwe” as the person who started it, social media users quickly noticed that Mel Viljoen’s name still appeared as the organiser on the fundraising page.

That detail quickly became a talking point, with screenshots circulating across X, where users questioned whether the use of another name was an attempt to attract donations after the first campaign had been removed.

😂😂😂 The tenacity of Mel Viljoen is next level. So she just started another BackaBuddy campaign 3 hours ago. I give up!😂 https://t.co/463rfw1pjX pic.twitter.com/BY9Fo31H1Q

Bianca van Wyk (@BiancavanWyk16) July 7, 2026

Social media reacts

The campaign’s removal fuelled another wave of online commentary.

Many users responded with humour, with some joking that the alias was ineffective because Mel Viljoen’s details remained visible on the campaign page. Others questioned why a second fundraiser was launched so quickly, while some criticised the couple’s decision to seek public donations.

The conversation reflects how closely the Viljoen matter is being followed online, particularly as Peet Viljoen’s criminal case continues to make headlines.

As with many high-profile legal matters in South Africa, public opinion has been sharply divided, with supporters arguing that legal defence is expensive, while critics believe crowdfunding is inappropriate given the nature of the allegations.

BackaBuddy explains why the campaigns were removed

BackaBuddy confirmed that all fundraising campaigns linked to Mel and Peet Viljoen have now been removed following an internal review.

The crowdfunding platform stressed that the decision was made in line with its own terms and conditions and standard review procedures, not because of the criminal charges facing Peet Viljoen.

According to BackaBuddy, campaigns are routinely assessed after they go live to ensure they continue meeting the platform’s requirements.

The organisation also emphasised that it does not investigate events that take place outside its platform or make findings about ongoing legal disputes. Instead, it said decisions to review or deactivate campaigns are guided by donor protection, campaign integrity and overall platform accountability.

Criminal case continues

The fundraising controversy comes as Peet Viljoen remains before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where his formal bail application is continuing.

The 57-year-old former attorney is facing approximately 400 criminal charges, including fraud, forgery and perjury, linked to an alleged 2010 Johannesburg Property Company property fraud scheme.

Those charges remain before the courts, and Viljoen has not been convicted. The criminal proceedings are ongoing, with the outcome to be determined by the court.

While the crowdfunding campaigns have now been removed, the attention surrounding them has added another layer of public scrutiny to an already high-profile legal battle.