MEL Viljoen wants a second chance.
The reality TV star is back in Mzansi and hopes South Africans will give her and her husband a second chance.
The former Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip star returned home after spending more than a month in a US detention facility following her arrest in March alongside her husband, Peet Viljoen, over allegations that they stole groceries worth $5 300 (about R87 600).
They were held in ICE facilities. Peet was being held at Florida Soft Side South, also known as Alligator Alcatraz, while Mel was detained at Broward Transitional Centre.
Lessons from detention
Speaking during an interview on Jacaranda FM, Mel opened up about her experience behind bars and the lessons she said she learnt during the ordeal.
"I feel embarrassed. You must always check your perspective. It's never too late to learn a lesson. I told myself I won't judge people when they say things about me because it's one perspective. I was pushed to see other perspectives through this, and I've learnt not to judge people very harshly. I feel very apologetic," she said.
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Mel described conditions inside the detention facility as shocking and claimed the experience changed her view of the US immigration system.
"I thought Trump was doing a great thing with ICE and keeping all the criminals out, but that's not what it is. There aren't many criminals in there. About 98% of the people in there aren't criminals. They are nurses, doctors, lawyers, businessmen, and most of them are legal," she said.
Separated from her husband
According to Mel, she and her husband were separated after being detained and have remained apart since then.
"They separate families. Husbands and wives are kept separate. Peet was kept alone and I was kept alone as well. We saw different judges," she said.
Mel said one of the first things she did after being released was find a way to contact her husband.
"The first thing I did when I left detention was take my phone and install an app so I could speak to Peet. On the way, I ordered a Starbucks coffee because I desperately needed coffee," she said.
'The grass is not greener'
While reflecting on her time in the US, Mel admitted the experience taught her some difficult lessons.
"The grass is not greener on the other side," she said.
The former reality TV star also addressed criticism over previous racist comments allegedly made by her husband about South Africa.
"The media misquoted Peet. He's apologetic that he had one perspective based on our experience. He feels sincerely apologetic. He feels corruption has torn this country apart, but he doesn't have an issue with black people.
"I can tell you now that Peet's best friend in prison right now is a black man from the Bahamas," she said.
Arrest came as a shock
The reality TV star said she was caught off guard by her arrest and maintains that she was unaware of what had allegedly gone wrong.
"I was shocked when I got arrested. I didn't know what I did wrong. I had to pick up from what the police officers were saying and gather little pieces of information to figure out what happened," she said.
Before leaving Mzansi, Mel and Peet were also accused of fraudulently selling unauthorised Tammy Taylor franchises in South Africa, which led to a Hawks investigation and court orders to immediately stop using the brand's trademarks.
