Latest news with #Viljoens
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Did the Viljoens leave Tammy Taylor Nails franchisees in the lurch?
While the Viljoens are living it up in Miami, Tammy Taylor franchisees in South Africa are wondering what will happen to them. Now that Peet and Melany Viljoen left the country, their Tammy Taylor franchisees have been left in the lurch. The principal franchisor, the Viljoens' Tammy Taylor Global Franchising, has left the country, but the salons still carry the Tammy Taylor brand name and logo despite South African and US courts forbidding the Viljoens from continuing to use it. Where does that leave the franchisees? Trudie Broekmann, a consumer lawyer from Cape Town and expert on the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), says a franchise operation can generally not operate without an engaged national franchisor which properly holds the legal rights to act as franchisor. ALSO READ: Did the Viljoens of Tammy Taylor-fame skip the country? The CPA's provisions regarding franchises were used in the application for an order against the Viljoens and Tammy Taylor Global Franchising recently, when Lebohang Hlathuka asked to be refunded the R600 000 she paid for a franchise. The court also ruled that the Viljoens be barred from using the Tammy Taylor brand name any longer. Tammy Taylor franchisees left to fend for themselves Broekmann says, from Hlathuka's recent judgment against the Viljoens, it is clear that at least those 'franchisees' who recently acquired their franchises from the Viljoens' entities do not have a valid franchise. 'These franchises would have to be reacquired or otherwise regularised by either a South African franchisor with a valid right for the relevant territory or with Tammy Taylor in the US. ALSO READ: US court rules Viljoens must pay real Tammy Taylor R71 million 'If earlier franchisees acquired their franchises validly from the Viljoens while they were authorised by Tammy Taylor to sell franchises, those franchisees have also been left in the lurch by the Viljoens' sudden departure. 'The older franchisees will have to negotiate new channels for their supplies and support. Even successful legal prosecution generally cannot rectify the devastation left behind by fraudsters. I can only commiserate with the non-complicit staff, franchisees and even customers of the franchisees who have been left to fend for themselves.' Judgment in US court against Viljoens A US court also issued an order at the end of June after the real Tammy Taylor sued the Viljoens for trademark infringement and breach of contract. The US judge ordered that the Viljoens' US Trademark Registration be cancelled and that Taylor's request for the maximum in statutory damages of $4 million against the Viljoens for counterfeiting the US-registered trademarks and breach of contract is granted. In addition, the judge ordered the Viljoens to scrub all references between them and the Tammy Taylor brand, including their website, from the internet. ALSO READ: Viljoens say Tammy Taylor will not get her R71 million [VIDEO] How do these judgments affect the Tammy Taylor franchisees in South Africa? Broekmann says the truth is that the franchisees are in a bind and there is probably not much they can do. 'Considering the rulings by the South Gauteng High Court and the California District Court in the US, it is clear that the Viljoens and their entities did not have the right to sell Tammy Taylor franchises since April 2022. 'Therefore, any 'franchisee' or potential 'franchisee' who contracted with them is entitled to claim their money back, along with damages. If these 'franchisees' attempt to conduct business as a Tammy Taylor salon they will be legally unauthorised and open themselves to being sued by Tammy Taylor Nails Inc in the US for breach of its intellectual property rights. 'I would suggest they instruct legal representatives to act very quickly to ensure that the Viljoens' assets are not dissipated or removed from the country to evade payment.' What can the Tammy Taylor franchisees do now? Broekmann says even the legitimate franchisees, who transacted with the Viljoens between April 2017 and April 2022 while they were authorised to sell franchisees, were left in the lurch by the Viljoens' hurried departure from South Africa. 'I assume their companies will not operate for much longer. I suggest the franchisees contact Tammy Taylor Nails Inc in the US to negotiate arrangements for support and supply of the correct Tammy Taylor products. Of course, there is no guarantee that the US company will be willing to support the South African franchisees and if so, at what cost.' ALSO READ: Judge orders Viljoens to immediately stop using Tammy Taylor trademark She says she has been inundated with requests for help from South African consumers who are victims of con artists and fraudsters. 'This judgment is a move in the right direction and demonstrates that our courts will come to the assistance of those who fall victim to business people who behave in contravention of the law, in particular the CPA, which regulates franchising.' Be careful if you want a franchise, lawyer warns Broekmann recommends that consumers who want to invest in a franchise involve an attorney to assist them throughout the process, as there are many potential pitfalls. 'The CPA requires a franchise agreement to be in writing and signed by the franchisor as well as the franchisee, but Hlathuka was forced to pay R600 000 before the contract was in place for a 'franchise opportunity that never existed'.' NOW READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Viljoens say Tammy Taylor will not get her R71 million
In a video filled with a barrage of racist statements, the Viljoens berate the South African legal system and black people. Melany and Peet Viljoen recording their video in Florida in the US. PIcture: screenshot Peet and Melany Viljoen, who must pay the real Tammy Taylor R71 million for statutory damages caused by the use of her trademark and breach of contract according to a judgment in a US court, say that she will not get her money. In a video posted on Melany Viljoen's Facebook page, the couple say they will answer some questions they received from Wie's Nuus on KYKnet because 'fake news' only tells half-truths. While most of the 17-minute video contains the couple talking about how bad private investigator and dumb private investigator Mike Bolhuis is and their hate for black people in South Africa, they also touch briefly on the US court case. Melany said Taylor got a 'default judgment' as if it were something that carries less authority than the judgment in a defended case. Peet Viljoen pointed out that he already read in the media last year that Taylor wants $100 million from them. ALSO READ: US court rules Viljoens must pay real Tammy Taylor R71 million Viljoens say Tammy Taylor might as well have sued the moon In the video he laughs and says, 'She might as well have sued the moon. I applied for an interdict in South Africa, but she refused to respond. I also have the order (from the US court).' When The Citizen asked Melany earlier in the week if she wants to comment on the judgment, she first asked for our proof. After we sent her the judgment, she promised to read it and respond, but she did not. 'But nothing of this is relevant for you, whether Auntie Tammy and I sort out our matter. My lawyers in South Africa sent me the order this morning. All the order says is that she loses her rights on the trademark in South Africa; she gets $4 million, but this is against the company. I sold that company two years before the default judgement.' 'Our ID numbers are not on the order and her order, is as empty as Mike Bolhuis' bank account,' he said. ALSO READ: Did the Viljoens of Tammy Taylor-fame skip the country? Viljoens obviously have a beef with Bolhuis They then continue slamming Bolhuis. Melany pretends to be the journalist from Wie's Nuus and asks Peet what was the last straw that made him decide to leave South Africa. He says it was not only one thing. 'It was the constant breaching of our privacy. People arrive at my office with guns, threatening to kill us if we do not sign over the company to Julius Malema. The media do not want to hear this, but we have proof.' 'For me the last straw was this black woman, Lebohang 'Bekots Myself' (Vomit on myself) (here he refers to the latest case against them in South Africa, Lebohang Hlathuka), who got a judgement where the same black judge (Judge Joseph Raulinga) signs two orders on the same day: one where Tammy Taylor wins and one where Lebohang 'Bekots Myself' wins.' 'That judge is such a clown. These things are not trained to rule on cases. They only give blacks with black lawyers the judgments they want.' A video of judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who is presiding in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, then appears on the screen. ALSO READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises Viljoens say Trump opened their eyes to Expropriation Act Then Peet turns to the Expropriation Act. 'My properties in South Africa is not worth anything. Government can just come and take it from me while they are screaming that whites must be killed.' Mel then says US president Donald Trump highlighted the problem for her. 'We did not really know that our land will be taken away from us before this whole Trump thing happened where he said that Afrikaners are special and that we must come to the US. 'So, we did a deep search and see the ANC's mission is to make the country socialist and take away from people what they can. After Peet watched Dr Ernst Roets on Tucker Carlson's podcast, he realised that they can really take our things just like that.' 'Then we realised we do not have to sit with the abuse. Blacks showing up at our homes, salons and offices with AKs that they hold against our heads. We are not OK with that. I started living in fear, and I was not happy in South Africa anymore.' Peet adds that they would have gone to the US long ago if Trump had invited them then. A giggling Melany then says they do not want to be uninvited guests in a country. ALSO READ: Judge orders Viljoens to immediately stop using Tammy Taylor trademark Viljoens say they already received over 900 requests from SAs wanting to join them 'Not like blacks in the Cape that took the land from the Khoisan,' Peet says. 'I did not think any South African who lives here for a week will want to go back. We already received over 900 requests from people wanting to come here. 'I have already been approved to write my entrance exam for attorneys, and I am already working with a massive legal team.' He says he sold everything in South Africa bit by bit, as people immediately think you are in financial trouble if you sell your stuff. 'I have to explain to nobody whether I am rich or poor.' Peet points out that he only hates blacks in South Africa in the same way a child who is molested by a man will hate men. He then returns to back the legal system in South Africa. 'People must wake up. They get cross when I say it, but they should change the whole legal system and call it Boswell Wilkie Circus, because it is a f*n circus. The judges are clowns. They all only passed standard six without maths and left at first break.' He also goes on a rant against Shadrack Sibiya, deputy police commissioner, who he says destroyed his life. Peet also says Trump is brilliant with lots of common sense. Watch the video here:
The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
US court rules Peet and Melany Viljoen pay Tammy Taylor R71 million
A United States court has ruled that South African couple Peet and Melany Viljoen must pay $3.9 million (approximately R71 million) in statutory damages to Tammy Taylor, the American founder of Tammy Taylor Nails. The judgment was handed down by the Southern District of California, which also issued a permanent injunction banning the Viljoens from using the Tammy Taylor name, branding, or trademarks. The court has officially cancelled their US trademark registration and prohibited any future business activity affiliated with the brand. Taylor filed the lawsuit in April 2024, accusing the Viljoens of unauthorised use of her brand after their licensing agreement was terminated. The couple reportedly did not defend the case in court, allowing a default judgment to be entered. Taylor originally sought R390 million in lost profits, citing reputational damage and global brand confusion, but the court dismissed that portion due to insufficient evidence. The Viljoens have now been ordered to scrub all use of the Tammy Taylor name, including: Salon signage Websites Social media accounts The domain The ruling also requires that all public-facing material no longer imply any association with the original Tammy Taylor brand. The Viljoens' South African attorney, Hein Wiese, declined to comment on the judgment or confirm whether the pair remain in South Africa. The original Tammy Taylor has until 16 July to renew her motion for additional damages or to pursue trademark enforcement in South Africa. This case has drawn widespread attention in the beauty industry, particularly in South Africa, where the Tammy Taylor name has been heavily promoted under the Viljoens' franchise network in recent years. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
US court rules Viljoens must pay real Tammy Taylor R71 million
The US court also barred the Viljoens from using the Tammy Taylor name and logos as well as the products in their nail salons. A US court ruled in June that Peet and Melany Viljoen must pay the real Tammy Taylor R71 370 400 ($4 million) for statutory damages caused by their use of her trademark and breach of contract. However, the court denied her claim of $22 176 000 (R392 537 200) for lost profit because she did not prove the loss. Tammy Taylor, founder and owner of Tammy Taylor Nails in the US, announced on Instagram that she is suing the Viljoens and filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of California in April last year, accusing her former licensees of continuing to use her trademarks after the licence ended. ALSO READ: VIDEO: Tammy Taylor sues Melany and Peet Viljoen for $100 million Melany Viljoen's response to Tammy Taylor suing them Melany Viljoen then responded with her own video on Instagram, saying as soon as they started creating their own content, Taylor insisted that she stays the face of Tammy Taylor in South Africa. She insists in the video that they hold the legitimate registration and ownership of the Tammy Taylor name in South Africa. She says they have not rebranded because they invested too much in it. In September 2023 she said in a statement to The Citizen that Taylor intends a 'brutal takeover of the empire Melany Viljoen built'. This came after letters from Taylor's lawyer, James McQueen, instructed her to cease and desist from using the Tammy Taylor name as she is no longer a licensee or distributor of products. According to the default judgment in the US court, the Viljoens did not attend or defend the case. Judge Cynthia Bashant, Chief Judge of the United States District Court, ordered that Melany and Peet Viljoen's US Trademark Registration is cancelled and no longer registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office, making it null and void. ALSO READ: Did the Viljoens of Tammy Taylor-fame skip the country? Viljoens must stop using Tammy Taylor name and IP The court also entered a permanent injunction against the Viljoens and 'each of their officers, agents, servants, employees and attorneys and all others in active concert or participation with them who receive actual notice of this Order', saying they are not allowed to: directly or indirectly use and must immediately stop using the names 'Tammy Taylor' or 'Tammy Taylor Nails,' or TTN's oval double 'T' mark; operate or hold themselves or their nail care business out to the public or others as being sponsored by, approved by, affiliated with, authorised by, or connected with Tammy Taylor Nails or make any written or oral statement to this effect; offer for sale, solicit sales, advertise, or sell any products or services in any medium under any mark, name, symbol, logo, or other indicia that incorporates or is confusingly similar to 'Tammy Taylor' or 'Tammy Taylor Nails'; offer for sale, solicit sales, advertise, or sell any nail care products, services, or retail stores in any medium, under any mark, name, symbol, logo, or other indicia that is likely to cause confusion or deceive people to wrongly believe they their products or services originate from Tammy Taylor Nails, or that they are authorised or are endorsed or sponsored or connected in some way to Tammy Taylor Nails. ALSO READ: Real Tammy Taylor owns her trademark, not the Viljoens – expert Viljoens ordered to stop using any reference to Tammy Taylor The judge also ordered the Viljoens to contact any domain name registrar, social media website, such as Instagram or Facebook, to abandon all domain names or Instagram handles or Facebook profiles containing the words 'Tammy Taylor,' 'Tammy Taylor Nails,' or any of its trademarks, including the domain name The Viljoens must also remove or delete any reference to Tammy Taylor Nails or 'Tammy Taylor' from their social media, including from Instagram and Facebook. In addition, they must contact any internet service provider to purge any domain name server information from any website addresses which have been used to promote their previous connection with Tammy Taylor Nails and contact any search engines to delete references to their formerly Tammy Taylor Nails-connected nail care businesses. The Viljoens must also remove and destroy any signage in their possession containing the Tammy Taylor Nails name or trademarks and all existing printed materials, including business cards, stationery, envelopes, signs, advertisements, forms, contracts, promotional items and any other materials that identify the Viljoens or their nail care business as operating under the names 'Tammy Taylor' or 'Tammy Taylor Nails'. According to the judgment, Taylor could renew her motion for a default judgment regarding the South African trademark or her request for damages in the form of lost profits by 16 July. ALSO READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises Tammy Taylor can still claim damages for lost profits Taylor claimed damages for lost profits as compensation for the Viljoens' trademark infringement as well as the breach of contract claims and calculated the damages to be $22 million because she argued that the Viljoens 'ran the agreed-upon franchises in South Africa so terribly that the destruction of the Tammy Taylor reputation reached around the world to the US and now Tammy Taylor Nails can no longer embark on its planned US-based franchising programme'. Therefore, Taylor wanted the Viljoens to pay for 'all the hypothetical profits of the first 10 years of this hypothetical programme, should it have launched in the US'. According to the judgment, Taylor introduced no evidence that any damage to the brand's reputation in the US would be so extensive to preclude all domestic franchising possibilities for the next 10 years. However, the court granted Taylor's request for the maximum in statutory damages of $4 million against the Viljoens for counterfeiting the US-registered trademarks. ALSO READ: Judge orders Viljoens to immediately stop using Tammy Taylor trademark We asked the Viljoens' lawyer, Hein Wiese, on Monday if he can confirm that the Viljoens have left the country and if they left him any instructions about what should happen to Tammy Taylor Global Franchising. Wiese was their lawyer in the most recent South African case where a woman sued them to get back the R600 000 she paid for a franchise that never materialised. In a reply to The Citizen's questions, he said he cannot confirm or deny that the Viljoens now live in the US because his office did not assist them in relocating. He also said he could not comment on any instructions received from Peet or Melany Viljoen as they are bound by attorney/client privilege. 'We do, however, distance ourselves from any racist comments made by Peet and/or Melany Viljoen and we were not aware of any participation by Peet and/or Melany Viljoen in any interview or recording.' The Citizen asked the Viljoens to confirm where they are and to comment on the US judgment, but received no response so far. Their comment will be added if received.
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Did the Viljoens of Tammy Taylor-fame skip the country?
It seems that Peet and Melany Viljoen are now living in the US, with him urging white South Africans to join him there. Did Peet and Melany Viljoen of Tammy Taylor franchise fame really skip the country? It seems like they did if you look at Peet Viljoen's latest video on Instagram, where he makes various racist statements and urges white people to follow him to the US. Peet Viljoen and his wife, Melany, have been in the news for the past few years after various people accused them of selling Tammy Taylor franchises that never materialised. Some of these complainants won their court cases against the Viljoens. In the latest court case that The Citizen reported on, North Gauteng High Court judge, Joseph Raulinga ordered that the Viljoens must pay back the R600 000 a woman paid for a Tammy Taylor franchise. He also declared the transaction unconscionable, unjust and unreasonable in terms of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), and void. He also ordered that Tammy Taylor Global Franchising, as well as both the Viljoens, 'immediately cease representing or holding out to the public that they have the legal authority and right to sell Tammy Taylor nail franchises in South Africa, without authorisation under the Trade Marks Act.' In addition, he ordered that they remove all references to Tammy Taylor from their websites, stationery, forms, marketing material, salon products, and social media platforms within 30 days from 25 April. Raulinga also ordered the registrar of the court to forward a copy of the order and all the papers to the National Prosecuting Authority. The Hawks confirmed to The Citizen that it is investigating. ALSO READ: Tammy Taylor Global Franchising gets a big hiding in South African high court Viljoens earlier denied they are leaving SA Private investigator Mike Bolhuis said in May, just after news of the latest judgment against the Viljoens became public, that he received information indicating that the Viljoens planned to evade justice by moving to the United States of America. In response, Peet Viljoen told Rapport that they are not leaving the country and that they are simply going on holiday to Perth in Australia where they will open a franchise. He said that they had no intention to leave South Africa permanently and even provided 'evidence' in the form of copies of plane tickets to Perth. However, this past Sunday, Viljoen told Rapport that he has in fact left South Africa for the US and that he has no intention of returning to South Africa. Rapport referred to – now deleted – statements Peet made on his Instagram account. According to Rapport, his original video included the statement: 'I don't speak baboon anymore,' and the assertion that he left South Africa for the US due to South Africa's racial laws and the 'inferior mental capacity of the black person in South Africa'. ALSO READ: WATCH: Real Tammy Taylor says Peet and Melany Viljoen stole her identity Viljoen says they moved to US for safety reasons In addition, he claimed he moved to America because he fears for his safety in South Africa, citing the EFF and its leader Julius Malema in several claims. It seems that these claims have been edited out later as it is not on his account anymore, while the post shows that it has been edited. However, there are videos on his Instagram and TikTok accounts where he talks at length about leaving South Africa to live in the US and offering to help South Africans who want to move there, as he believes there is no future for the white man in the country. This is his video on Instagram: This is his video on TikTok: But Bolhuis says the Viljoens are planning to use the current political climate between South Africa and the US as an excuse to evade justice for crimes they committed in South Africa. 'It is clear from Viljoen's statements that he is attempting to provoke a public response from the EFF and other anti-racism activist groups, with the hope of using it to appeal to the US government that his life could be in danger if he returns to South Africa. 'This is a sly and corrupt way of obtaining and using refugee status to evade justice in South Africa.' According to Bolhuis, the Viljoens sold their assets in South Africa and lied about their intentions to leave the country by claiming they were merely taking a holiday in Australia. ALSO READ: Real Tammy Taylor owns her trademark, not the Viljoens – expert Viljoen says he is an attorney despite being disbarred Viljoen also says in his TikTok video that he is a South African attorney who moved to America for his own safety, although he was debarred in South Africa. On his X profile he describes himself as a 'law broker' who 'uses his legal expertise to help people find the right lawyer'. In a post on another platform, he claims to be the first law broker in South Africa. According to Bolhuis, a warrant of arrest will soon be issued for them, which he says is the main reason for their departure from South Africa. 'If the Viljoens succeed in evading justice by finding refuge in America, this will set a standard and it will open the door for widespread corruption and many similar cases will soon follow. 'They must return to South Africa and face justice for their actions.' Bolhuis is warning the South African and American public not to fall victim to Viljoen's manipulation. 'He is well-spoken and he knows how to appear sincere. There is a good reason why Viljoen has been the centre of several controversies surrounding his business dealings over the years. 'He uses manipulation and sophistication to draw victims into conducting business with him. Once the victims discover that he is not adhering to his end of the agreement, he turns to intimidation, extortion and threats to convince his victims not to file or to withdraw criminal charges against him.'
