The Real Housewives of Pretoria star and her husband Peet Viljoen were arrested in Boca Raton after allegedly stealing groceries worth more than $5300 from Publix stores over six months.
By Bulelwa Hoala
Reality television personality Melany Viljoen and her husband Peet Viljoen were arrested in Boca Raton, Florida, on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, after allegedly stealing groceries worth more than $5300 (about R100 000) from Publix over six months.
The couple, known for their appearances on The Real Housewives of Pretoria, were reportedly caught on surveillance footage repeatedly stealing items from the supermarket chain between August 2025 and March 2026.
According to Miami-based broadcaster Local 10 News, the couple allegedly took a variety of items, including La Marca Prosecco sparkling wine, San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water, Maison Perrier flavoured sparkling water, and Coca-Cola Zero.
Investigators say the pair used a method known as “ticket switching”, where barcodes from cheaper items are scanned while more expensive products are placed in the trolley.
Reports from People Magazine state that the couple were also seen on surveillance footage bypassing the self-checkout completely and leaving the store with trolleys containing unpaid goods.
Authorities claim that 369 items were never scanned during the alleged thefts.
‘Survival mode’ defence
Following her arrest, Viljoen reportedly told police that she acted alone and was in “survival mode” because she had been unable to work in the United States due to not having a valid work visa.
However, investigators say CCTV footage suggests otherwise.
According to WPBF, an affidavit alleges that Melany and Petrus Viljoen worked together, with Peet allegedly distracting store employees while Melany carried out the thefts.
Police said the couple also admitted that they were the individuals seen in the surveillance footage.
Investigators further recorded two additional theft incidents in Lighthouse Point, although those cases were not formally reported because the value of the items was considered too small.
The Viljoens have each been charged with organised retail theft, with bail set at $10 000 each.
No strangers to controversy
The Viljoens have been at the centre of several high-profile controversies in recent years:
• The couple was previously accused of illegally selling franchises linked to the American beauty brand Tammy Taylor in South Africa while claiming they held the rights to the brand.
• In 2022, Tammy Taylor Nails officially cut ties with the couple and launched legal action.
• In 2025, a US court ordered the Viljoens to pay more than R71 million in damages and permanently barred them from using the Tammy Taylor trademark.
The couple reportedly left South Africa for the United States in July 2025, shortly after a Pretoria High Court order compelled them to refund a franchisee.
Their move to the US came amid the R71 million ($4 million) trademark judgment handed down by an American court.
Disbarred lawyer controversy
After relocating to Miami, Peet Viljoen reportedly launched a website offering legal services using a South African domain.
However, in November 2025, the Legal Practice Council confirmed that Viljoen was disbarred in 2011 and is not permitted to practise law in South Africa.
READ NEXT: ‘Pray for me’ – Skeem Saam star Mogau Keebine responds to ‘struggling actress’ troll
The post PICS: Real Housewives of Pretoria’s Melany and Peet Viljoen arrested for grocery theft in Florida appeared first on KAYA 959.
