The Florida shoplifting case involving Peet and Mel Viljoen is back in the spotlight after new footage of Peet being questioned about alleged checkout irregularities surfaced online.
Journalist and content creator Bianca van Wyk shared the video on Sunday, 9 August, prompting renewed discussion around the case.
Failed to scan
In the footage, an interviewer questions Peet about a series of transactions at a Publix supermarket in Boca Raton.
The interviewer alleges that items in the couple’s shopping carts repeatedly failed to scan correctly and claims there were more than 60 incidents that could be put to Peet.
The questioning also refers to surveillance footage that allegedly shows Peet placing a bottle of San Pellegrino underneath a case of water before it went through the self-checkout process.
Peet appears to dispute the allegations and points to possible problems with the supermarket’s self-checkout system. He argues that the system was relatively new and describes the questioning as a “fishing trip”.
When asked whether he had ever left the store without paying for goods, Peet responds: “I’ve never not paid for stuff.”
The footage provides another glimpse into the investigation that led to the couple’s arrest in Florida earlier this year.
What happened at Publix?
Peet and Mel Viljoen, known to South African audiences from The Real Housewives of Pretoria, were arrested in Boca Raton in March 2026 after investigators accused them of being involved in an alleged months-long retail theft scheme.
According to police allegations, the couple used a method known as ticket-switching, in which cheaper items were allegedly scanned instead of more expensive goods.
Investigators said the alleged activity involved dozens of transactions and more than $5 300 worth of groceries.
The allegations included claims involving products such as sparkling water and other groceries.
Sparked strong reaction online
Earlier footage from the investigation has also surfaced, including police bodycam material showing Mel being questioned by detectives about the alleged transactions.
The latest video has once again sparked a strong reaction on social media, with viewers divided over Peet’s responses during the questioning.
Comments included reactions such as:
“The confidence is honestly something else. He really does not seem shaken at all.”
“That ‘fishing trip’ line has social media talking. This case keeps getting more bizarre.”
“Whether you believe him or not, that interrogation is definitely going to spark another round of debate.”
“Every time this story seems to disappear, another video drops.”
“The internet has officially entered another episode of the Viljoen saga.”
Denied the allegations
The couple have denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty. The charges remain allegations and have not been proven in court.
With the legal proceedings continuing and more footage emerging, the case is likely to remain a subject of intense public interest in South Africa.
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