Melany Viljoen, 39, a cast member of the reality series The Real Housewives of Pretoria who also appeared on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa, and her husband Petrus “Peet” Jacobus Viljoen, 57, a former attorney and businessman from Pretoria, South Africa, were arrested on March 10, 2026, by the Boca Raton Police Department in Palm Beach County, Florida.
The couple was taken into custody during a traffic stop while driving their black Range Rover. The vehicle was identified by investigators as the same one used in multiple theft incidents at a local Publix store. Both individuals were booked into the Palm Beach County Main Detention Center that afternoon and charged with aggravated grand retail theft over $3,000, a second-degree felony under Florida Statute 812.015. Each was held on a $10,000 bond.
According to Boca Raton police reports and arrest affidavits, the Viljoens carried out a coordinated retail theft scheme at the Publix Supermarket located at Mercado Real, 1001 South Federal Highway in Boca Raton, from August 2025 through early March 2026. Over this period, they completed 52 transactions in which 392 items worth a total of $5,302.17 went unpaid. Surveillance footage and store transaction records confirmed 369 of those items as unscanned.
The methods documented in the reports included ticket-switching, in which cheaper barcodes—sometimes from seasoning packets—were scanned for higher-priced merchandise, as well as bypassing self-checkout scanning entirely and pushing full shopping carts past the final point of sale without payment. Police affidavits state that Petrus Viljoen distracted store employees on multiple occasions while Melany Viljoen executed the unpaid scans and removals. Items taken included large quantities of San Pellegrino and Maison Perrier sparkling mineral water, La Marca Prosecco sparkling wine, Coca-Cola Zero soda, wine, fruit, produce, toilet paper, and other groceries.
Both suspects admitted to police that they were the individuals depicted in the Publix surveillance footage. Melany Viljoen stated in a post-Miranda interview that she acted alone because she was in “survival mode” and had not worked in the United States since arriving due to lacking a work visa. Petrus Viljoen denied engaging in ticket-switching or intentional theft when shown the images. Investigators noted that the evidence, including coordinated actions captured on CCTV, indicated both participated in the thefts.
Additional minor theft incidents linked to the couple were reported in Lighthouse Point, Broward County, but were not included in the charges due to their lower value. The case remains under investigation by Boca Raton police.
Mugshots released by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office show Melany Viljoen and Petrus Viljoen following their booking. As of the latest available information, both remain in custody pending further proceedings on the felony charges.
North West Father Remanded in Custody Following Alleged Murder of Two Young Sons Near Groot Marico
Groot Marico – Police in the North West province are investigating the deaths of two toddler brothers whose bodies were discovered in bushes next to a river at Skuinsdrift-Tshwaro Farms outside Groot Marico.
On Saturday afternoon, 7 March 2026, officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of the lifeless bodies. The victims were identified as one-year-old Reabetswe Masiangwa and his three-year-old brother Lesedi. Both children had sustained multiple injuries. Emergency and medical rescue services attended the scene and declared the boys dead on arrival.
According to North West police spokesperson Sergeant Kelebogile Morake, preliminary information indicates that the 35-year-old father of the boys, Afentseng Motlhanke, had collected the children from their grandmother earlier that day while their mother was attending church. Reports further state that an argument had taken place between the parents prior to the incident, during which Motlhanke allegedly threatened to kill the children.
With assistance from local community members, police traced and arrested Motlhanke on Sunday, 8 March 2026.
Motlhanke made his first court appearance in the Groot Marico Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 10 March 2026, facing two counts of murder. The case was postponed to 17 March 2026 for a formal bail application, and the accused was remanded in custody.
Acting provincial commissioner of the North West, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, welcomed the arrest and noted the swift collaboration between police and the community that led to the suspect being traced and detained.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths continues.
Tragic School Stabbing in Khutsong Leaves Grade 9 Learner Dead
KHUTSONG – A 16-year-old Grade 9 learner has been fatally stabbed at Badirile Secondary School in Khutsong, prompting the Gauteng Department of Education to immediately deploy psychosocial support services to the affected school community.
The incident took place on Thursday morning when a fight erupted between two learners on the school premises. A 17-year-old Grade 10 learner allegedly stabbed the younger pupil during the altercation, leaving the victim critically injured.
The wounded Grade 9 learner was rushed to a nearby clinic for emergency treatment but later succumbed to his injuries.
Education MEC Matome Chiloane confirmed that the department has dispatched a dedicated psychosocial support unit to Badirile Secondary School. Counselling sessions for learners and educators impacted by the tragedy are scheduled to begin on Friday.
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances of the stabbing. In the meantime, the school has initiated its own internal disciplinary procedures.
The Gauteng Department of Education has appealed to parents to partner with schools in efforts to prevent violence among learners, emphasising that such incidents carry devastating and far-reaching consequences.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the 17-year-old suspect has been arrested.
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Learners Injured in Dawn Park Minibus Collision Involving Scholar Transport
Dawn Park, Ekurhuleni – A collision between a minibus carrying school learners and another vehicle occurred at a bustling intersection in Dawn Park during the morning commute on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to several children.
Ekurhuleni metropolitan authorities confirmed that their emergency response teams and traffic officers arrived quickly at the scene. Metro police personnel were present at the location prior to the incident, managing traffic signals amid heavy flow.
The minibus, which was en route from Leondale to Katlehong, was involved in the crash that prompted an immediate call for medical assistance. Injured learners received prompt attention from paramedics and were transported to local medical facilities for care. Among those hurt, one child sustained serious injuries, according to initial reports.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department emphasized the importance of road safety, particularly during peak hours, and advised drivers to remain vigilant. An investigation into the factors contributing to the accident is currently underway.
As of now, the Gauteng Department of Education has not released any official comments on the matter. Officials from Ekurhuleni indicated that further details will be shared once a complete assessment of all involved learners is finalized.
Note: Images related to the incident have been edited to obscure graphic elements, prioritizing ethical coverage of events affecting minors.
