JOHANNESBURG — BackaBuddy has removed businessman Peet Viljoen’s legal fundraiser, ending a campaign that sought R400,000 to cover the disbarred attorney’s legal costs ahead of his bail application.
The Peet Viljoen BackaBuddy campaign raised just R3,500 before the crowdfunding platform shut it down under its Terms and Conditions.
The campaign, launched by family friend Tammy van der Merwe with the support of Viljoen’s wife, Mel Viljoen of Tammy Taylor SA, was intended to help cover mounting legal costs while he remains in custody.
Viljoen faces about 400 charges, including fraud, theft, corruption, forgery and uttering, linked to an alleged R27.6 million Johannesburg Property Company property fraud scheme. Read more about Peet Viljoen’s arrest and charges.
Why was the Peet Viljoen BackaBuddy campaign removed?
BackaBuddy did not identify the specific clause behind the decision. It said the fundraiser was closed under its platform standards and Terms and Conditions. The platform added that the rules protect donors, campaign creators and the integrity of its community.
Visitors to the campaign page now see a notice confirming the fundraiser has been closed. BackaBuddy said decisions like this are “never taken lightly” and are guided by fairness, transparency and trust.
The platform also confirmed it will refund all eligible donations and advised contributors with questions to contact its support team.
BackaBuddy rules explain why campaigns are removed
BackaBuddy’s published Terms and Conditions allow it to suspend or remove campaigns that breach its standards or applicable laws. The platform may also act where content violates legal obligations or undermines trust within its community.
The Peet Viljoen BackaBuddy campaign centred on raising legal fees for an accused facing hundreds of fraud-related charges. BackaBuddy’s published rules allow it to remove campaigns that create legal or trust concerns, although the platform has not publicly linked its decision to any specific policy provision.
The platform has taken similar action before by removing crowdfunding campaigns involving other high-profile and controversial public figures. Its stated approach focuses on maintaining a neutral environment for charitable giving rather than judging the merits of individual legal cases.
An archived copy of BackaBuddy’s Terms and Conditions also states that campaigns may be removed where they breach legal duties owed to others or fail to meet the platform’s standards.
Peet Viljoen’s legal battles continue beyond the fundraiser
The fundraiser’s removal comes as Viljoen faces several legal battles beyond the Johannesburg Property Company prosecution.
His wife, The Real Housewives van Pretoria star Mel Viljoen has also remained in the spotlight throughout the case.
The couple also remains embroiled in the long-running Tammy Taylor trademark dispute.
In an earlier interview with NOWinSA, Mel and Peet Viljoen maintained they had legitimately acquired the exclusive ownership and distributorship of the Tammy Taylor brand in South Africa despite legal action from the American founder.
Read their previous response to the Tammy Taylor dispute.
The couple has consistently defended that position throughout the dispute. Tammy Taylor SA has remained at the centre of the legal battle.
Viljoen was arrested after arriving at OR Tambo International Airport following his deportation from the United States.
Prosecutors have indicated they will oppose bail and have told the court they intend relying on some of the couple’s social media posts during the application.
Viljoen now returns to court for his bail application without the BackaBuddy fundraiser that was launched to help cover his legal costs.
Read more on the BackaBuddy archived Terms and Conditions
