Big din over baby grand piano
A HILLCREST couple claim the piano in the foyer at King Shaka International Airport was stolen from them – and they want it back.
Hilda, 72, and Eddie Morris, 79, thought they struck the right note with a local musical instrument dealer. The couple contacted the dealer in 2014 to sell their Steinway baby grand and agreed to a price of R70 000.
But two years later, when they had not received payment, they contacted private investigator Brad Nathanson to find the piano.
“We received R10 000 from the dealer about a year ago. He said that he would pay us the full amount once he sold the piano. It was kept at his store for some time. When we did not receive payment for two years, we contacted him, saying we wanted the piano back. But he did not respond.
“He kept making excuses and would not give it back to us. We had to get legal advice and then contacted Brad ,” said Hilda.
Nathanson alleged the dealer, Dayalan Poonan who owns Poonan’s Music, took advantage of the couple.
“They contacted me and, with the help of the Hillcrest SAPS, we found the piano at the airport. We were able to identify it after doing investigations and establishing that the airport bought it from Dayalan,” said Nathanson.
Colin Naidoo, spokesman for the Airports Company SA (Acsa), said the airport had purchased the piano from a reputable dealer.
“The piano at the arrivals terminal was to improve the ambience at the airport and to create a relaxed atmosphere while people are waiting for passengers to arrive. It is a second-hand item and was purchased in August 2014 from Pillay’s Sound and Hire.
“We can declare that we followed our internal procurement process to purchase it. We were not aware of any ensuing allegations between the retailer and the previous owner of the piano.
“We also want to state, as Acsa, we would not intentionally purchase stolen goods, and normally procure goods and services from reputable suppliers,” said Naidoo.
Poonan played a different tune, denying to the Sunday Tribune that the piano had not been paid for.
He said a deposit of R80 000 had been made into the couple’s bank account by another individual who bought the piano from him. It was then sold to the airport.
“I sold the piano to someone else who then sold it to Acsa. I have proof of a deposit made to them. The allegations made against me are absurd.
“The couple wanted R70 000 for the piano and we paid them R80 000. I think that they are doing this because they now realise that we sold it for more than the price that we gave them. It’s just sour grapes,” said Poonan.
Reacting, the couple said no such payment had been made. “We are happy that we now know where our piano is. We are arranging transport so that we can go and pick it up. We would like to thank Brad for locating it so efficiently,” said Hilda.