The Real Housewives of Pretoria star Melany ‘Mel’ Viljoen is now a free woman! She was released from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centre in Colorado, the United States. The former Donald Trump supporter wasted no time pampering herself and taking a selfie.
Also see: Mel and Peet Viljoen open up about life behind bars
Why was Mel Viljoen arrested?
Mel, along with her husband, Petrus ‘Peet’ Viljoen, were arrested on 10 March 2026 in Florida for allegedly shoplifting groceries from a Publix grocery store worth roughly R90 000. The alleged theft occurred from August 2025 to March 2026. Law enforcement arrested Peet outside the store, and Mel was arrested outside their apartment building.
IOL reported that the couple also allegedly violated their visa conditions, as they were meant to return to South Africa by 24 November 2025.
According to information from content creator BiancaSays, Mel, who was granted a ‘voluntary departure,’ is now staying with a friend in the United States. She has until the end of June 2026 to leave the country. Replacing the diamonds with an ankle monitor, Mel hopes that Peet will be released soon so they can travel back home together.
Per the ICE website, BONA Magazine found that Peet is currently being held at the California City Immigration Processing Centre.
Also see: Mel and Peet Viljoen open up about life behind bars
Mel Viljoen snaps picture after ICE release
BiancaSays shared with TikTok users, “Her priority, when she got out of the detention, was a Starbucks coffee, to get her nails, a facial, and hair done.”
The local podcaster shared a screenshot of the picture a happy Mel snapped of herself.
@biancasays3 #melviljoen #peetviljoen #southafrica #usa #suidafrika ♬ original sound – BiancaSays3
Also see: Why Peet Viljoen Was Disbarred and Hit with a Heavy US Judgment
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