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Peet Viljoen Remanded on About 400 Fraud and Corruption Charges

Prosecutors say the case involves alleged 2010 transfers of dozens of municipal properties worth more than R100-million with the state opposing his release on bail.

Overview

  • Viljoen was deported from the United States after roughly 100 days in ICE detention and was arrested at OR Tambo Airport on 16 June before appearing in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 18 June.
  • The National Prosecuting Authority says he faces about 400 charges, including corruption, fraud, theft, perjury and forgery, arising from a long-running commercial crime probe.
  • His bail hearing was postponed to 26 June because the state needs time to verify addresses and says it will oppose his release; Viljoen has been remanded to Kgosi Mampuru prison.
  • Investigators allege a syndicate used forged council resolutions and falsified transfer documents to remove between 27 and 33 properties from Johannesburg Property Company ownership, with losses said to exceed R100-million.
  • The case revives long-standing controversies around Viljoen, including his 2011 disbarment and the Tammy Taylor franchise disputes, and raises questions about asset recovery and how he travelled abroad while investigations were active.