Peet Viljoen is expected to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 8 July 2026 to launch a formal bail application. The former attorney and television personality faces 400 criminal charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, forgery, and uttering, stemming from an alleged R27.6 million Johannesburg Property Company scheme dating back to 2010.
Legal Proceedings And State Opposition
The Hawks arrested Mr Viljoen on 16 June 2026 at OR Tambo International Airport shortly after he was deported from the United States. Following an initial appearance on 18 June 2026, the bail proceedings were repeatedly delayed, with a recent postponement on 26 June 2026 attributed to changes in the accused’s legal representation. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that the State intends to oppose the bail application, citing the severity of the charges and the flight risk posed by the accused.
Community And Financial Backing
In the wake of his arrest, a crowdfunding campaign was established on the platform BackaBuddy to assist with his mounting legal fees. However, the platform subsequently removed the campaign, citing internal standards regarding their beneficiary policy. Tammy van der Merwe, who initiated the effort, commented on the necessity of the funds during a recent interview, stating, “The reason I have created this and taken ownership of this is to help them out with legal fees. Those are going to be quite substantial, and they do need some help with regard to it.”
The outcome of the upcoming bail hearing will determine whether Mr Viljoen remains in custody pending the start of his trial, which relates to the alleged unlawful transfer of municipal properties in Johannesburg sixteen years ago.