JOHANNESBURG - Disbarred lawyer and reality TV personality Peet Viljoen’s attempts to steal back into the legal profession have hit a brick wall.
The Legal Practice Council says his attempts to practice law are impossible until his fraud and corruption case is finalised.
The regulatory body received an application for reinstatement from Viljoen in 2024.
But his submission was flagged as incomplete and could not be processed.
He faces 400 charges of fraud and corruption linked to the sale of municipal properties in 2010.
Viljoen’s expulsion from the legal fraternity is not a recent development.
He was officially disbarred 15 years ago, in 2011.
The Law Society of the Northern Provinces, the predecessor to the Legal Practice Council, successfully petitioned the High Court in Pretoria to strike Viljoen’s name from the roll of practising attorneys.
The disbarment followed an extensive investigation into his law firm's administrative and financial misconduct. The court ultimately found he was no longer fit to practice law after finding him guilty of unprofessional, dishonourable, and inappropriate behaviour.
Fast forward to 2026, Viljoen has been deported from the United States for visa violations and is now facing more than 400 charges of fraud, corruption, forgery, uttering and theft. This is what he said during his bail application.
Jaco Fourie of the Legal Practice Council said: “I am aware that he did lodge such an application in 2024. In circumstances where there are serious criminal charges, the stance is usually that that particular case has been finalized before he can proceed with readmission."
Law Society of South Africa’s Machini Motloung said Viljoen could approach the courts.
“Mr Viljoen intends to apply for leave to appeal. If he wishes in 2026 to do so, it will be a mountain to climb; he will have to provide good reasons as prescribed in the rules of court.”
The LPC has reiterated that the standard for practicing law in South Africa requires uncompromised ethical and professional standing. With Viljoen's current legal woes he won't be practicing law anytime soon