Peet Viljoen to learn bail fate in R27.6 million fraud case

Disbarred lawyer Peet Viljoen is set to discover on Monday if he will be granted bail in connection with a 400-count R27.6 million fraud scheme. Viljoen, who last appeared in court on July 24, initially requested bail on that day; however, the decision was delayed until August 17 to allow further legal arguments to be considered.

During the arguments, the defence and prosecution presented their cases to Magistrate Nicca Setshogoe, who subsequently requested additional documentation from the prosecution before delivering her judgment. Viljoen's legal representative, Andre Steenkamp, contended that the prosecution's opposition to bail was unjustified due to Viljoen's voluntary return to South Africa, indicating that he was not a flight risk.

Steenkamp proposed a bail amount of R200,000, with R150,000 to be paid upfront and the remaining R50,000 to be secured from a sum previously released 16 years ago.

Viljoen was apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport upon his deportation from the United States on June 16. He is accused of various charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, forgery, and uttering, in relation to the alleged JPC property fraud scheme. The prosecution vehemently opposes granting bail, claiming that Viljoen poses a flight risk and that his release would not serve justice.

Steenkamp, however, argued that Viljoen was eager to face the charges by returning to South Africa. "He willingly came back despite knowing he would be arrested; this man is not a flight risk," Steenkamp asserted. Moreover, Steenkamp emphasized that Viljoen and his wife had legally resided in the United States, and he was facing these charges for 16 years. Additionally, Steenkamp questioned whether Viljoen should remain in custody indefinitely, emphasizing the historical nature of the charges against him.