Controversial reality TV couple Mel and Peet Viljoen were arrested in the US on Tuesday.

• Controversial reality TV couple Mel and Peet Viljoen were arrested in the US on Tuesday.
• They allegedly shoplifted more than $5 300 (around R88 000) worth of groceries.
• The couple was arrested by Boca Raton police in Florida and charged with aggravated grand retail theft.

Controversial reality TV couple Mel and Peet Viljoen were arrested in the US on Tuesday for allegedly shoplifting groceries worth more than $5 300 (around R88 000), according to People.

Boca Raton police in Florida arrested them and charged with aggravated grand retail theft over $3 000.

Mel and Peet are each being held on $10 000 bond, the publication reported.

The Real Housewives of Pretoria star and her husband were arrested at a routine traffic stop, while driving their black Range Rover – the same vehicle believed to have been used during the alleged theft, according to 12 News.

Police said they carried out a six-month retail theft scheme from August 2025 through March 2026, targeting a Publix supermarket, according to 12 News.

READ | ‘I hated every second’: Mel Viljoen breaks silence on reality TV experience with black co-stars

Investigators reported that the couple had conducted 52 transactions in which they had allegedly used “ticket-switching” tactics. This involves scanning cheaper barcodes for more expensive items during transactions.

Security footage also showed them leaving the Publix store with full carts after skipping the self-checkout lane.

According to WPBF, an affidavit stated that the couple worked together, with Peet distracting employees while Mel stole the items by failing to scan them.

12 News reported that during an interview, Mel told detectives she had acted alone and stolen the items because she was in “survival mode” and unable to work in the US due to not having a visa. However, the investigators said the footage showed them both participating in the theft scheme.

In 2025, it was reported that the couple had relocated to the US, with Peet going on a racist tirade to the media, saying they wanted to get away from black South Africans and black economic empowerment.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I am a racist and hate South African black people,” Peet told Rapport.

“Genocide is a reality in South Africa and all of you white people are going to be massacred,” he falsely claimed.