Peet Viljoen's court appearance has reignited interest in Happy Simelane's long-running battle with the Viljoens.
Bianca Van Wyk (left) checks her phone while sitting beside Happy Simelane at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria, where Peet Viljoen’s case was postponed to 26 June for a bail hearing. Image: X, @Sli_Masikane
In the glittering world of South African reality television, where luxury lifestyles meet public scrutiny, few stories capture the fall from one low point to another quite like the ongoing saga involving The Mommy Club star Happy “Her Majesty” Simelane and disbarred lawyer-turned-reality personality Peet Viljoen (and his wife Mel).
What began as a business deal gone sour has spiralled into fraud allegations, international arrests, deportation and fresh court appearances, keeping Simelane trending as it appears as though justice may finally unfold.
Happy Simelane, a successful businesswoman, single mom, and award-winning reality TV personality, has long been a polarising figure for her unfiltered authenticity on Showmax’s The Mommy Club.
As one of the original cast members and the last standing, she has shared her journey through motherhood, loss, and entrepreneurship across multiple seasons, earning accolades like Reality TV Star of the Year at the Africa Choice Awards. She came into the show stamping her ownership on the affectionate title “Her Majesty,” which has stuck with viewers who admire her resilience.
Peet and Mel Viljoen, meanwhile, rose to fame on The Real Housewives of Pretoria, portraying a life of opulence. Peet, a former attorney with a shady background, has long positioned himself as a sharp legal mind, while the couple leveraged their platform for business ventures, notably the legally embattled Tammy Taylor Nails franchise.
From franchise deal to courtroom reckoning
2010-2011: Peet Viljoen’s early legal troubles
Peet Viljoen faced arrest in a major Johannesburg property fraud investigation involving forged documents and unlawful transfers of municipal assets (linked to the Johannesburg Property Company). He was disbarred as a lawyer in 2011 following these allegations, which involved losses in the tens of millions. This set a precedent for later scrutiny of his business dealings.
2021-2022: Tammy Taylor franchise expansion and Simelane’s involvement
The Viljoens claim to have secured a master licensing agreement for Tammy Taylor Nails in South Africa and marketed franchises aggressively.
Happy Simelane invested R2.5-2.8 million in cash for the Menlyn Maine store in Pretoria, expecting strong returns (projected R300 000-R500 000 monthly). She claims she never received keys or a proper ownership transfer, despite covering expenses from 1 September onward.
A letter of demand for more than R152 000 in rent followed, escalating tensions. Carte Blanche later exposed broader issues with the franchise, including inconsistencies for several other investors.
March 2023: Default Judgment Against the Viljoens
Simelane pursued legal action. A default judgment ordered Tammy Taylor Nails SA to repay her R2.8 million plus costs. The Viljoens denied outright theft, framing it as a business dispute. They also faced similar legal disputes with other franchisees.
2023-2024: Viljoens’ pivot to racial grifting and move to America
Facing mounting pressure in South Africa (including the US Tammy Taylor company suing them for trademark infringement, leading to a $4 million / R71 million judgment), the couple amplified narratives of “white genocide” and anti-Black rhetoric online. They portrayed South Africa as unsafe for Afrikaners and America as a promised land of opportunity, seeking to later capitalise on “helping” other Afrikaners make the move. They relocated to the U.S. amid these controversies.
2025: U.S. legal trouble
The Viljoens faced a major U.S. court loss on trademark issues. They continued operating amid disputes.
March 2026: Arrest in the U.S. for retail theft
In a dramatic twist, Peet and Mel were arrested in Boca Raton, Florida, for allegedly stealing more than $5 300 (more than R87 000) in groceries from Publix via a “ticket-switching” scheme (scanning cheap items while bagging expensive ones). They spent time in custody, describing harsh conditions, before deportation proceedings. Happy Simelane publicly celebrated with dancing videos, calling it karma and referencing her losses.
Mid-2026: Deportation and Peet’s return to South Africa
After U.S. immigration detention, Peet was deported and arrested by the Hawks at OR Tambo International Airport upon landing (Mel had returned earlier). He faced revived charges from the 2010 property fraud case, now encompassing fraud, theft, forgery, corruption, perjury, and more (over 400 counts alleged in connection with a more than R100 million scheme).
June 2026: Peet’s court appearance in Pretoria
Peet appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. The case was postponed to June 26 for a bail hearing (prosecution opposes bail). He remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II. Mel supported him in court.
Simelane’s fraud allegations against him in the Tammy Taylor deal remain a focal point in public discourse, with victims seeking broader justice and fans celebrating Simelane for not wavering in her opposition to the Viljoens.
