The former reality TV star has opened up about her experience inside an ICE facility.
Image: Instagram
"It's great to be back in South Africa, it's bittersweet. I mean this is my country."
Those were the first words from Melany "Mel" Viljoen during her appearance on "Breakfast with Martin Bester", marking a dramatic turn for the former "The Real Housewives of Pretoria" star after months of controversy, detention in the United States and a public fall from favour in South Africa.
Mel and her husband, Petrus "Peet" Viljoen, first entered the public eye as larger-than-life personalities on the reality series, where they were known for their lavish lifestyle, outspoken opinions and willingness to court controversy.
Their time in the spotlight continued long after the show, particularly following criticism aimed at comments made by the couple before leaving South Africa for Miami in 2025.
Peet faced significant backlash over remarks many South Africans viewed as racist, while both he and Mel drew criticism for comments about the country and its people. Despite the outrage, the couple relocated to the United States, seemingly ready to leave the controversy behind.
Instead, they found themselves at the centre of an even bigger story.
On March 10, 2026, Mel and Peet were detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, sparking widespread speculation both in South Africa and abroad.
While Peet remains in the United States awaiting the outcome of his court case, Mel has since returned home and says the experience fundamentally changed her outlook.
During the interview, Mel said living abroad made her realise how much she missed South Africa.
"I missed the language," she explained, adding that South Africans show more love and support towards one another than people often do in the United States.
She also described what she experienced inside an ICE detention facility.
"They throw you in the facility and you have to deal with an immigration judge. Whether they are right or wrong, there are no repercussions," she said.
The experience, according to Mel, forced both her and Peet to reconsider some of their previous views.
"Our perspective has changed. We've seen the world. We've seen how injustice really works, how abuse of your human rights really works."
Mel admitted she had been wrong about some of her previous opinions and offered an apology to South Africans. She also defended her husband, saying he does not judge people based on race but rather on issues related to corruption.
Now, she is asking South Africans for another chance.
"I promise you we are very honest people. We are very hardworking people. En veral vir Peet, don't judge him too harshly," she said.