Disgraced lawyer and former reality tv star Peet Viljoen faces over 400 charges including fraud and corruption.
Following his brief appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria, the state said it intends to oppose his release on bail. His bail application could not proceed on Thursday as the state said there were outstanding verification checks, including Viljoen’s address. Peet will remain behind bars until his next court appearance on 8 July.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Viljoen faces a total of 400 cases including corruption, fraud, theft, perjury and forgery. He is accused of illegally selling municipal property in 2010. He is charged alongside Resimate Maringa, Dorah Madisha, Wiets Nell, Ronel van Vuuren and Edmund Sibisi. The group allegedly targeted valuable municipal properties.
The group fabricated a paper trail to facilitate illegal transfers to private firms. The state says no monies were ever paid to the City of Johannesburg or Joburg Property Company. Instead, almost R15-million was systematically distributed among the syndicate.
The court appearance is in connection with a R100-million property fraud scheme that was orchestrated 16 years ago.His appearance marks a significant legal development in a string of controversies for the former attorney, who was previously struck off the roll of attorneys in 2011.
The former reality TV star flew straight into the arms of the South African police services following his deportation from the United States after he was arrested alongside his wife Mel Viljoen for shoplifting.
Image: Netwerk24
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