Mel Viljoen. (Photo: Jhua-Nine Wyrley-Birch/Maroela Media)
Although they are not their co-housewife doesn’t defend his recent arrest, believe Die Real Housewives van Pretoria Rhona Erasmus and Kiki Wentzel are not able to indulge themselves in Mel and Peet Viljoen’s circumstances.
This after the Viljoen couple – who both made headlines at the time in this kykNET reality series – were arrested in the USA on Tuesday after they allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of groceries from a local store over a period of six months.
Maroela Media reported that the couple apparently, with the help of someone else, seized more than $5 300 (about R88 000) worth of groceries from a Publix store on the South Federal Highway. They are reportedly currently being held in West Palm Beach.
A flood of criticism has since poured in on social media, with many believing that the controversial Viljoen couple, who moved to the USA in July 2025, deserved their arrest.
Peet and Mel Viljoen were arrested in the USA. (Photo: Palm Beach County Sheriff)
Rhona, a business woman with whom Mel often talks Die Real Housewives clashed, told Maroela Media that everyone needs mercy, “even if we don’t deserve it”.
Although she has never agreed with the way in which the Viljoens maintain their lifestyle or do business, Rhona emphasizes that she is not going to point fingers.
“Law and justice must be done, but I don’t take pleasure in other people’s pain. I have been through it especially on social media, so I will never express myself against people on those platforms as many people choose to do now.”
Mel and Rhona often butted heads on ‘The Real Housewives of Pretoria’. (Photo: Provided)
Kiki shared her opinion in a candid Instagram video and said that she and her husband, Malcolm Wentzel, initially did not believe the rumors about the Viljoens.
She echoed Rhona’s comments and strongly condemned “horrific, vile social media comments in which people lick themselves”.
“Where is our humanity? When someone falls, you revel in it? Where is people’s mercy?
“I know when you find yourself in the public eye, unfortunately this is the type of thing you can expect, but this is shocking to me. We have all done or said things that are not in line with who we really are.”
Kiki also says that she and Mel got to know each other “on a deeper level” thanks to their participation in Housewives and emphasizes that her own opinion of Mel was not influenced by the perceptions of others.
“I feel extremely sorry for the people who were (allegedly) put in, but Mel didn’t do anything to me as a person. From my experience with her, I could never condemn her or say anything bad about her.
“Maybe it’s a weakness of mine, but I always try to see the good in people.”
Tessa Tullues, a businesswoman who was part of the popular Showmax series The Mommy Club: From the Capitalcommented on Kiki’s post and said that the Viljoens themselves had run their mouths about several people, including her and her husband.
“Have you seen what? comment them on other people’s posts? I’m very sorry, but if you can be so nasty and give (it), you should also be able to receive!”