Mel defends husband Peet Viljoen: ‘He talks about Jesus’
'Real Housewives' star Mel Viljoen has defended her husband Peet Viljoen against his 400 criminal charges, citing his Christian faith...
Black News 
Mel Viljoen has defended her incarcerated spouse, Peet Viljoen, who was arrested earlier this week, citing his strong Christian faith.
The disbarred attorney is facing 400 criminal charges, including corruption, theft, forgery, and perjury, relating to a 2010 multi-million-rand property fraud scheme.
He has been remanded in custody at Kgosi Mampuru prison.
MEL DEFENDS HUSBAND PEET VILJOEN AFTER ARREST
On her Instagram account, Mel Viljoen gave her followers a look at Peet Viljoen, as they’ve never seen him.
The 57-year-old has a reputation for his strong opinions, controversial views and dodgy business dealings.
Mel claims that there is more to him, sharing a clip of him laughing, joking and “talking about Jesus” and “praying with strangers”.
She captioned the clip: “The side of Peet no one sees but me. A heart of Gold. The spirit of a lion, a gentle giant!”
‘TARGETED’
On her IG Stories, Mel Viljoen also defended her husband against criminal charges, first levelled against him in 2010.
She shared: “My heart is shattered! I know Peet; he is innocent in this case. After 16 years, the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] found nothing. Why now? Why, when we thought this case was over that they do this to him?
Mel continued: “I’m heartbroken beyond words! This man has the purest intentions in this world. I am praying for his release and favour from the NPA. Peet blames himself for all of this.
In since-deleted IG Stories, she alleged that Peet Viljoen was arrested by a corrupt police syndicate, outlined by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. She even went so far as to name-drop high-ranking officials, including Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
WHY HAS THE CASE AGAINST PEET VILJOEN BEEN DELAYED?
Peet Viljoen is accused of being part of a criminal syndicate that facilitated the transfer and sale of City of Johannesburg properties through fraudulent transactions.
In 2010, he was arrested alongside five others on “hundreds of charges”, including fraud, theft and forgery.
Peet has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, alleging that he was a “whistleblower” who
Over the years, the case against Peet and his co-accused has faced several delays, including:
- The death of a magistrate presiding over the court case
- Peet being disbarred as an attorney
- The court case was referred from the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to the High Court, where irregularities were found in the plea proceedings.
- An order for proceedings to be set aside and remitted under another presiding officer
The NPA has argued that the case against Peet Viljoen and his co-accused remains active and was never permanently withdrawn.
It claims that the prosecution intended to proceed once the case was re-enrolled. It also added that Peet and Mel left South Africa during active proceedings, and that his return allowed authorities to arrest him and continue with the prosecution.
