Crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy has officially removed a campaign established to raise R400,000 for the legal expenses of disbarred attorney Peet Viljoen. The fundraiser, which was initiated by family friend Tammy van der Merwe, had collected approximately R3,620 before the platform intervened to shut it down.
Platform Integrity And Policy Enforcement
BackaBuddy confirmed in an official statement that the decision to terminate the campaign was made in accordance with its strict platform standards and Terms and Conditions. The company emphasised that such measures are necessary to uphold the integrity of the platform and ensure the protection of all donors who contribute to various causes.
Decisions like this are never taken lightly and are guided entirely by our commitment to fairness, transparency and platform trust.
Following the closure of the initial fundraiser, the platform also removed a second, subsequent campaign attempted by the family. BackaBuddy has further confirmed that all eligible donations will be refunded to the respective contributors.
Legal Context And Ongoing Proceedings
The crowdfunding effort was linked to the high-profile legal challenges currently facing Peet Viljoen, who was deported from the United States in June 2026. Viljoen appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on 8 July 2026 regarding a bail application related to his alleged involvement in a R27.6 million fraud scheme.
Viljoen is facing approximately 400 charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, forgery, and uttering, in connection with long-standing investigations into the Johannesburg Property Company. The accused remains in custody as his legal team prepared for the continuation of his bail hearing.