Peet and Mel Viljoen are definitely going to jail, says investigator Mike Bolhuis

More details are emerging about the arrest in the United States of former Real Housewives of Pretoria stars Peet Viljoen and Mel Viljoen.

The couple was detained in Boca Raton, Florida, last week on charges of organised retail theft.

They had allegedly shoplifted groceries worth over $5,300 (about R88,000).

Boca Raton Police confirmed that they were arrested for ticket switching at a Publix grocery store.

Ticket switching is a type of retail fraud which involves removing the price tag or barcode from one item and placing it on a higher-value item.

Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services says US officials are planning a full investigation into how the pair entered the US.

"Our investigation clearly shows that they've been planning to skip the country to avoid justice on this side."

He says the pair used fake documents. "That's all going to be uncovered."

Authorities allege the pair carried out a coordinated crime spree over several months.

Each is now facing an organised retail theft felony charge and has been placed on $10,000 bail.

Bolhuis says these are serious charges.

"They will definitely be going to jail for that. Whether they will be sent back to South Africa or do jail time there is still to be seen."

Bolhuis and his team had previously warned that the couple would continue their alleged criminal activities after leaving South Africa.

The arrests follow a series of investigations and warnings dating back several years when the couple was linked to fraud, theft, and other offences.

They relocated to the US after being sued by Tammy Taylor for $100 million.

"I've been investigating them from about 2015, even before that... where they were doing misrepresentation, theft and fraud."

Bolhuis explains that the pair were selling Tammy Taylor nail franchises they didn't own.

Their move to the US was, according to Bolhuis, part of an effort to evade accountability.

"They're definitely going to jail, that I can assure you."

For more information, listen to Bolhuis on CapeTalk's Good Morning Cape Town with Lester Kiewit using the audio player below:

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