Peet and Melany Viljoen were the faces behind Tammy Taylor Global Franchising in South Africa, a brand associated with beauty salons and nail care. For years, aspiring franchisees looked forward to owning their own Tammy Taylor nail salons, hoping to build successful businesses. However, things took a dark turn as legal troubles, financial losses, and accusations of fraud started surfacing. Melany Viljoen featured on “The Real Housewives of Pretoria” and the Showmax spin-off in Jamaica. Anong those she is reported to have scammed is Her Majesty (real name Happy Simelane), who was scammed of R2.8 million.
In 2025, the Pretoria High Court ruled against the Viljoens after a franchisee, Lebohang Hlathuka, won a case demanding a refund of R600,000 for a Tammy Taylor salon franchise that never actually opened. The court found the whole transaction unfair and ordered the Viljoens not only to repay Hlathuka fully, including interest, but also to stop selling Tammy Taylor franchises in South Africa. This ruling exposed broader problems within their business practices and raised questions about whether other franchisees were also victims of deceit.
Their decision to leave South Africa was not due to just one event but a series of distressing experiences, including intrusive threats and perceived judicial bias. Peet Viljoen described receiving threats involving armed individuals pressuring them to sign over their company to Julius Malema, a prominent political figure. They also criticized the South African judicial system, alleging favoritism and unfair rulings, particularly against them in franchise-related cases.
The Viljoens cited political and social pressures as major factors influencing their move. Peet expressed fears linked to the country’s Expropriation Act, worrying about the potential seizure of white-owned property. Melany mentioned losing important contracts due to Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) laws, which she perceived as discriminatory against her. Both also referenced former US President Donald Trump’s remarks welcoming Afrikaners and minorities from South Africa, which helped solidify their decision to emigrate, choosing Miami, USA, as their new home.
Timeline of Events
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Before 2025: Peet and Melany Viljoen operated Tammy Taylor Global Franchising in South Africa, selling salon franchises to several franchisees.
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Early 2025: Legal disputes started when franchisees began experiencing problems, including salons that never materialized and unexplained financial losses.
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April 25, 2025: Pretoria High Court orders the Viljoens to repay Lebohang Hlathuka R600,000 for a failed franchise; also orders them to stop unauthorized use of Tammy Taylor branding.
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Mid 2025: Another franchisee, Hantie Oosthuyzen, reports a loss of R5.8 million linked to dealings with the Viljoens.
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2025: A US court orders the Viljoens to pay approximately $4 million (R71 million) for trademark infringement related to Tammy Taylor, after their licensing agreement ended.
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2025: Amid mounting legal pressures, accusations, and threats, the Viljoens leave South Africa and relocate to Miami, USA.
The court also referred the Viljoens to South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority, suggesting they might face fraud charges. Besides the refund case, franchisees like Hantie Oosthuyzen revealed losses reaching nearly R6 million, signaling a possible pattern of mismanagement or deception across the franchise network. These troubled business dealings were compounded by the Viljoens’ failure to comply with key South African laws, including the Consumer Protection Act and Companies Act, and even their continued unauthorized use of the Tammy Taylor brand after losing licensing rights.
Adding to their woes, the original US Tammy Taylor company sued the Viljoens for $100 million over trademark infringement. The American court ruled decisively against them, ordering a $4 million judgment. Interestingly, the Viljoens claimed they had sold the company involved well before this judgment and questioned the fairness of the ruling. Their departure from South Africa was quick and reportedly influenced by social and political pressures. Peet Viljoen alleged receiving threats demanding he hand over his company to political figures and expressed fears of government policies like expropriation targeting white-owned businesses. Melany Viljoen cited losing contracts due to policies favoring Black Economic Empowerment.
Since moving to Miami, the Viljoens have stirred controversy online with posts that many find offensive, further damaging their reputation. Peet Viljoen, once a lawyer disbarred in South Africa, is now aiming to requalify in the US legal system. Meanwhile, franchisees left behind in South Africa continue dealing with financial losses and uncertainty.
