Online Reporter
THE BATTLE over a missing multimillion-rand grand piano has reignited, with composer Lebo M accusing his ex-wife Pretty Samuels of misleading the public about a supposed divorce settlement.
In its latest response, Lebo M’s legal team has denied that any agreement existed allowing Pretty to remove or sell the Blüthner instrument — the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation. They claim recent allegations made by Samuels are “factually incorrect, legally baseless and deliberately misleading”.
On Sunday, attorney Brian Msimeki, representing the Lion King producer, said Pretty’s assertions of a settlement agreement involving the grand piano are “completely unfounded”.
“There is only one valid settlement agreement — and it was made an order of court,” said Msimeki.
“There was no agreement. No consent. No justification to remove, sell, or dispose of that instrument. Only deception.”
Included in the documents released by his legal team is a redacted copy of the divorce settlement agreement, dated September 30 2024. In it, the parties agree that “the plaintiff shall retain as his sole and exclusive property all furniture, vehicles and personal effects which are in his possession,” and that “the defendant will retain as her sole and exclusive property all furniture, vehicles and personal effects which are in her possession”.
According to Lebo M’s lawyers, the piano was not in Pretty’s possession at the time of the settlement and therefore was never hers to claim or dispose of.
The legal team released redacted legal correspondence, now submitted to law enforcement, and maintains that Pretty acted without any legal authority regarding the piano.
Pretty has previously told journalists the opposite.
“The piano was part of the divorce settlement, so I’m baffled when he now cries foul,” she said. “The issue of a stolen piano is an absurd story.”
TshisaLIVE made multiple attempts to reach Pretty for comment, including after the release of the latest statement from Lebo M’s legal team. Her publicist previously said she was unable to comment as the matter was sub judice.
A criminal case was opened at Sandton police station and law enforcement is expected to review the latest evidence submitted by Lebo M’s legal team. — Times.
Mathew Masinge