Peet Viljoen Held At “Alligator Alcatraz” As US Legal Drama Escalates
South African reality television personality Melany “Mel” Viljoen and her husband Petrus “Peet” Jacobus Viljoen are reportedly at risk of deportation from the United States after their legal troubles in Florida escalated. Peet Viljoen is now said to be detained at a controversial immigration detention centre nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”, while Mel Viljoen has reportedly been taken to a separate immigration facility as authorities review their immigration status.
The developments follow the couple’s arrest earlier in March 2026 on grand retail theft charges in Boca Raton, Florida. Both were initially granted bail of US$10,000 each (about R187,000 each). However, new reports suggest United States immigration authorities later took them into custody after discovering they were in the country on tourist visas.
Journalist Says Couple Handed Over To Immigration Authorities
Information about the latest developments surfaced on 16 March 2026 when journalist Bianca van Wyk shared details of the case on X.
Introducing the developments, Bianca van Wyk wrote:
“Peet & Mel Viljoen’s legal troubles in Florida just keep escalating. Already jailed in Boca Raton on grand retail theft charges with US$10k bail each (about R187,000), the couple were suddenly handed over to ICE on Friday the 13th after authorities discovered they were in the U.S. on tourist visas.”
She further stated that the couple are now being held at separate immigration detention facilities while authorities determine the next steps.
“Peet is now being held at the notorious ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention facility, while Mel was taken to a separate ICE center in Pompano Beach.”
Van Wyk added that United States immigration officials will now determine whether the couple violated immigration rules.
“U.S. immigration authorities will now determine whether they’re in the country illegally, which could mean even harsher legal consequences and deportation.”
Arrest Linked To Alleged Grocery Theft
The immigration developments follow the couple’s arrest earlier in the month.
On 10 March 2026, Melany Viljoen, 39, and Petrus Viljoen, 57, were arrested by Boca Raton police in Florida. The arrests were linked to allegations that the pair had stolen groceries worth more than US$5,300 (about R99,000) from a Publix supermarket.
The publication PEOPLE reported that investigators believe the alleged thefts took place over several months.
“The Real Housewives of Pretoria star Melany Viljoen and her husband Petrus Viljoen were arrested on Tuesday, March 10, for allegedly shoplifting thousands of dollars of groceries from Publix.”
Authorities reportedly claim the alleged activity took place between August 2025 and March 2026 at a Publix store on South Federal Highway in Boca Raton.
Investigators also alleged that the pair used a method known as “ticket-switching”.
“By utilizing this tactic, the couple scanned cheaper barcodes instead of the more expensive items they were actually purchasing.”
Police investigators also reportedly found that hundreds of items had not been properly scanned.
“Investigators reported that 392 items went unscanned, citing surveillance footage and transaction data.”
Deportation Outcome Still Unclear
Questions have now emerged about what could happen if immigration authorities determine that the couple violated their visa conditions.
Responding to a question on X about whether the pair could be deported back to South Africa, Bianca van Wyk said the process could take time because the criminal case would likely need to be addressed first.
“They will eventually. They will need to face the grand retail theft felony charges and they are now in the immigration system, which is backlogged.”
At this stage, it remains unclear how the immigration process will unfold or whether deportation proceedings will be initiated once the criminal case has been concluded.
Authorities in Boca Raton are continuing their investigation into the alleged retail theft case.