Peet Viljoen, a 57-year-old disbarred attorney, has vowed to defy odds and resume practicing law despite facing 400 criminal charges linked to an alleged multimillion-rand property fraud case. Viljoen appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Pretoria on Thursday, 23 July, where he remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
Viljoen Seeks Bail and Reinstatement as Attorney
In an affidavit before the court, Viljoen offered R250,000 bail and proposed strict conditions, including house arrest, surrendering his passport, and reporting to the police daily. He argued that he has no intention of leaving South Africa and is prepared to stand trial on all 400 charges brought against him by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Viljoen also told the court that he is working towards reinstatement as an attorney and believes he will practice law again in the future.
Social Media Activity Defended
Viljoen defended his social media activity, saying it is protected by the constitutional right to freedom of expression, and insisted he is not a flight risk. He also criticised the prosecution's case, describing it as "weak" and "flawed," and said he intends to sue the NPA for R500 million, alleging unlawful prosecution.
Charges and Allegations
The charges against Viljoen and five co-accused relate to the alleged unlawful sale of Johannesburg municipal properties worth about R27 million. According to the NPA, the accused allegedly forged sale agreements, municipal resolutions, and affidavits, and misused powers of attorney to illegally transfer the properties. The charges include fraud, corruption, theft, forgery, uttering, and related offences.
Bail Application Reserved
The court reserved judgment on Viljoen's bail application until 17 August. Viljoen arrived in court wearing a grey suit paired with a branded Boss T-shirt, a departure from his previous court appearances where he wore a Hugo Boss tracksuit.
Source: Briefly
