From ‘beauty and legal empire’ to ‘stealing to survive’: 7 things you need to know about the Viljoens’ scandals

It was not too long ago thatReal Housewives of Pretoriastar Mel Viljoen and her husband, Peet, were living the high life as socialites, business owners, and a big-shot lawyer. Viljoen, who went from growing up on a farm to becoming president of Tammy Taylor Nails in South Africa, boasted of many high-profile clients such as Somizi, Pearl Thusi, DJ Zinhle, and Lerato Kganyago. Mel’s fame rose in October 2022 when she was featured as one of the primary cast members onThe Real Housewives of Pretoria, which led to a follow-up season and a guest appearance on a comedy show where she and various other celebrities roasted Helen Zille.

But several scandals later, the couple is now facing deportation from America after reportedly being busted for shoplifting to survive. Here are five things you need to know about the Viljoens’ alleged troubles with the law: Mel was not just a reality show star but also a beauty business owner. But the couple’s empire began to collapse in April 2024, when the US owner of the Tammy Taylor brand sued them for $100 million (R1.6 billion) for using her trademark after their licence had expired several years earlier.

The real Tammy Taylor claimed the couple stole her identity for their business and accused them of even stalking her. The couple latercounter-sued Taylorfor $200 million (R3.2 billion). A South African court in 2025 ordered that they stop using the trademark,leaving franchisees who had built businesses through the brand in the lurch.

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Meanwhile, the police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks,announced they were investigatingthe pair over the matter. The couple were ordered by a US court to pay Taylor the equivalent of R71 million in statutory damages, but Mel said she has no intention of payingit.

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