Peet and Melanie Viljoen during Peet's first appearance in court last month.
Image: Timothy Bernard/ANAStudio
While former celebrity lawyer Peet Viljoen will this week fight for his freedom when he launches a formal bail application, his wife Melanie (Mel) gave an undertaking that she will give her full cooperation in current investigations relating to the pair.
Private investigator Mike Bolhuis said in a statement that Mel had recently contacted his company Specialised Security Services (SSS).
“During this initial communication, Mrs Viljoen expressed sincere remorse for her past conduct and indicated her willingness to present herself to Specialised Security Services with the express intention of cooperating fully with all active investigations,” Bolhuis said.
He welcomed this step by Mel, noting that her gesture represents a constructive first step toward the ultimate resolution of the matters at hand. He also noted that Mel offered profuse apologies for her own behaviour as well as on behalf of her husband.
According to Bolhuis, Mel also indicated that she desires to rectify past wrongs. Her undertakings were formally confirmed in writing. Bolhuis said she confirmed that Peet is in full agreement with her position and similarly wishes to cooperate with all ongoing investigations, though this has not yet been confirmed in writing.
“Moving forward, SSS intends to engage with the appropriate authorities to establish a mechanism whereby outstanding investigations may be resolved through the full and transparent cooperation of Mrs. Viljoen,” Bolhuis said.
He urged the public who have valid cases to come forward, as this new development means “that they will not be under threat of intimidation for providing their statements”. The Viljoens are facing an investigation involving the Tammy Taylor franchise.
While a United States court ordered the couple to pay Tammy Taylor USA about R71 million in damages for trademark infringement, they are also facing allegations from local franchisees.
Buyers claimed they had lost millions due to alleged fraud as they were allegedly lured into purchasing franchises from them for a company to which they (the Viljoens) had no right of ownership.
Peet, meanwhile, will on Wednesday lodge a formal bail application before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria. He faces 400 charges, including fraud, corruption, theft, forgery and uttering, linked to an alleged R27 million property fraud scheme.
He was arrested on June 16 following his release from an ICE detention camp in the United States. He was, however, arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport and after a two-night sting at the Sunnyside Police Station, he was transferred to the Kgosi Mampuru Prison in Pretoria.
With their legal woes escalating, Mel has recently issued a public apology on social media for the pain their public utterings could have caused people in the past. She asked for forgiveness for their actions and asked for forgiveness.
Mel said it was "one of the most difficult posts we have ever written,” and added that “the Lord has done profound work in both my heart and Peet’s heart”. "Today we want to take responsibility for our past. To the people we hurt through our videos, our words, and our actions, we are truly sorry," she said.
Earlier during Peet’s first appearance in court, Prosecutor Willem van Zyl indicated to the court that the State will vigorously oppose Peet’s bail application. He said that he will use some of the couple’s social media posts during the proceedings. Van Zyl did not elaborate on which posts he will refer to.
Peet is meanwhile expected to pull out all the stops in his bail bid and armed himself with a new senior lawyer.