Bail hearing for disbarred lawyer Peet Viljoen adjourned; he remains in custody until August 17

Disbarred celebrity lawyer Peet Viljoen will stay in custody until at least 17 August after the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria heard further legal argument in his bail application on Thursday. Magistrate Nicca Setshogoe said she needed additional documents from the prosecution before delivering a judgment.

Court heard opposing legal arguments

Defence counsel Andre Steenkamp told the court that Viljoen voluntarily returned to South Africa and that this showed he was not a flight risk. Steenkamp said Viljoen had offered a total of R200,000 for bail R150,000 immediately and R50,000 which the State could use from an amount on which Viljoen had been released 16 years ago.

Steenkamp also told the court that Viljoen was prepared to remain under house arrest at his sister’s home in Olympus, Pretoria, and to report daily to the police if ordered by the court.

Prosecution argues release would be risky

The prosecution opposed bail, arguing Viljoen was a flight risk and that his release would not be in the interests of justice. Prosecuting counsel referred to Viljoen’s conduct and social media statements, saying those factors supported opposing bail.

Background to detention and charges

Viljoen was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after being deported from the United States on 16 June and was taken to Kgosi Mampuru Prison. He is facing 400 charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, forgery and uttering, linked to an alleged R27.6 million Johannesburg Property Company property fraud scheme.

Extradition recording referenced in court

The court heard an earlier recording from extradition proceedings in the United States in which Viljoen initially asked to return voluntarily to South Africa and, when that was refused, asked to be deported. In that recording he told the US judge he would

“die” in the US immigration detention centre known as ICE

Who was in court

Viljoen appeared in the dock with his wife, Mel Viljoen, sitting behind him. The magistrate heard arguments late into the day before adjourning to consider the prosecution’s additional documentation.

The court will return on 17 August to determine whether Viljoen should be released on bail.