Asthmatic Peet Viljoen 'not a flight risk', plans to sue State
Disbarred lawyer and TV personality Peet Viljoen says he plans to sue the National Prosecuting Authority following his arrest last month.
Viljoen’s bail application is being heard in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
He faces Schedule 5 charges, including 400 counts of fraud involving R27 million, as well as corruption, theft, forgery and uttering, linked to the unlawful sale of municipal properties in 2010.
Vijoen told the court on Wednesday that he intends to challenge the State over what he described as his unlawful prosecution.
His lawyer, Andre Steenkamp, told the court on Wednesday that his client was not a flight risk and that he was willing to surrender his passport.
READ: 'Reality TV star's husband' arrested at OR Tambo International Airport
Steenkamp also said that Viljoen has no previous convictions and asked the court to consider house arrest if bail was granted.
Viljoen has been held at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre.
Speaking through his lawyer, he told the court that his continued detention would negatively affect the business he runs with his wife, reality TV star Mel Viljoen.
He also said he has a medical condition and alleged that his family has been intimidated.
“I have the medical condition of asthma, which necessitates that I have an asthma pump at all times when my breathing is affected. I already have problems with Correctional Services getting the necessary [medication] at this early stage. The consequence of such actions may prove fatal due to the lack of oxygen, if not treated quickly. Prolonged detention may have fatal consequences as officials are already lax in assisting me.”
Meanwhile, just days after it was started, the crowdfunding campaign that was started to fund Viljoen’s legal fees has been pulled.
Crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy removed a fundraising campaign, started by a family friend, that sought to raise R400 000 but had collected only about R3500 before it was closed on Tuesday.
BackaBuddy said the fundraiser was removed in line with its platform standards and terms and conditions.
They say eligible donations would be refunded.
ALSO READ
