Boca Raton, FL – Melany “Mel” Viljoen, a star of The Real Housewives of Pretoria and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa, and her husband, Petrus “Peet” Viljoen, were arrested Tuesday and face felony charges related to a six-month shoplifting spree at a Publix supermarket. The couple is accused of stealing over $5,300 worth of groceries from the store located at 1001 South Federal Highway in Boca Raton, Florida.
According to an arrest report from the Boca Raton Police Department, Melany Viljoen confessed to the thefts, stating she was “in survival mode” and hadn’t worked since arriving in the U.S. Due to visa issues. The Viljoens are charged with organized retail theft, a felony in Florida, and each had their bond set at $10,000.
The alleged scheme involved multiple trips to the Publix over the past six months, beginning in August 2025. Police say the couple employed a “ticket switching” method at self-checkout lanes, scanning lower-priced items while concealing more expensive ones. Surveillance footage and store records indicate a total loss of $5,302.17 resulting from 52 transactions involving 392 stolen items, as reported by the Miami Herald.
Items stolen included La Marca Prosecco sparkling wine, San Pellegrino and Maison Perrier sparkling water, and Coca-Cola Zero, Local 10 News reported. Police too noted two unreported incidents at Publix locations in Lighthouse Point, Broward County, where the value of the stolen goods was not significant enough to warrant a report.
From South African Reality TV to Legal Trouble
Melany Viljoen gained prominence on the South African reality television scene with her appearances on The Real Housewives of Pretoria, which premiered in 2022, and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa in 2024. Her husband, Petrus “Peet” Viljoen, is a former attorney and businessman from Pretoria. The couple had been showcasing a seemingly lavish lifestyle on social media, with posts featuring visits to upscale establishments in Palm Beach and Miami, according to the Miami Herald.
The arrest marks a significant turn for the couple, who previously presented a public image of success and affluence. Authorities began investigating in August 2025 after noticing suspicious activity during self-checkout transactions.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Both Melany and Petrus Viljoen have been booked into the Main Detention Center in West Palm Beach. They each face a charge of organized retail theft, a felony under Florida law. A conviction could result in significant penalties, including imprisonment and fines. The couple’s legal representation has not yet commented on the charges.
The case is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the legal process unfolds. Authorities continue to investigate whether other incidents of theft may be linked to the Viljoens.
As of March 13, 2026, the Viljoens remain in custody. The next step in the legal proceedings will likely involve arraignment and the scheduling of a trial date. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for the couple’s public image and future opportunities.
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