Petrus Jacobus Viljoen Denied Bail

Petrus Jacobus Viljoen (57), also referred to as Peet Viljoen – disbarred attorney

Court: Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court

Outcome: Bail denied – accused will remain in custody

Reason for denial: Deemed a flight risk; State argued that he sold off assets, fled the country, and has no verifiable address in South Africa

Charges:

• Total of 400 counts, including:

  • Fraud (amounting to R27 million)

  • Corruption

  • Theft

  • Uttering and forgery

  • Perjury

  • Contravention of Section 4 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act

Allegations:

• Between January and March 2010, the accused and five other suspects allegedly fraudulently sold 46 properties belonging to the City of Johannesburg to unsuspecting individuals and companies

• Allegedly forged sales agreements, City of Johannesburg resolutions, powers of attorney, affidavits, and Deeds Act applications

• Allegedly paid gratification to a deputy registrar to register the transfers

Timeline:

• January – March 2010: Alleged fraudulent sale of 46 City of Johannesburg-owned properties

• 2010: Viljoen arrested following a City of Johannesburg audit and investigation; first appearance at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court

• May 2025: Just before the matter was re-enrolled for trial de novo, Viljoen left the country

• 16 June 2026: Re-arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after deportation from the United States of America

• June 2026: Matter postponed to 26 June 2026 for bail investigations and bail application; State indicated it would oppose bail

• July 2026: Bail application heard; defence offered R250,000 bail (R50,000 plus R200,000), house arrest, and daily reporting; judgment reserved

• 23 July 2026: Bail hearing postponed to 17 August 2026

• 17 August 2026: Judgment on bail application delivered – bail denied; Viljoen to remain in custody at Kgosi Mampuru prison pending trial