Bids close at R2.2 million for La Montanara

ALBERTON – Despite the defects, such as no building plans, the building exceeding the building line onto adjacent property belonging to the EMM being listed, the buyers were visibly happy when the auctioneer closed the bid with their offer to be the highest. Bidding opened at R800 000 and bidders quickly chased the selling price upwards into the millions.

Oddly, despite being a public auction, Neil Diamond was not allowed on the property where the auction was being held. According to a spokesperson for The High St Auction Co, they “were requested by the powers to be, to request the property owners hosting the auction, not to allow Diamond access to the venue”.

With the property being part of an insolvent deceased estate, there is a 14-day waiting period for approval from the Master of the High Court, and to make sure everything is in place with acceptance from the curators of the estate. This period expired on October 14.

Diamond assets returned:

The Diamonds received a letter from Tintinger Attorneys, whereby it was stated that they may collect their assets: those sold to them by Antionette Fourie, those belonging to them (the Diamonds), as well as those bought by them after their occupation of La Montanara. They did so on October 1.

“This was a most regrettable event and we are looking forward to put this whole matter behind us and restore our family’s reputation in our community.”

To this statement by Diamond, Hennie Els commented: “If the Diamonds really want this thing to go away and work on their so-called reputation, then I suggest they rather stop trying to do damage control in the press in order to buy face with the public based on untrue fact, they should rather move on with their lives and rather take this as a lesson that you can sc*** some people some time but not all the people all the time.”

The way forward:

It would seem that this is not quite the end of this saga. There is still blame from both parties. Diamond is consulting his legal team to claim for damages to their assets and Tintinger told the RECORD that the RECORD “will be provided with a further summons against Mrs Diamond/Casino Retail for unpaid occupational rent and damages in due course.”