Top businessman Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday he had never even seen the luxury R3-million Maybach 62 vehicle he was said to own.
”I have never test-driven one, I have never even seen the car. I only saw a photo when the story broke,” he said.
Ramaphosa has launched a defamatory case against DaimlerChrysler for claiming he was one of four people in southern Africa to have bought one of the most expensive vehicles available.
Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, businessman Tokyo Sexwale and King Mswati of Swaziland were also said to have bought a Maybach.
Ramaphosa said he was made aware of the claim this month.
”DaimlerChrysler acknowledged it had been done, but said their spokesman had been misquoted,” he said.
The company had not responded to his request for a public apology, leading to the serving of summons, Ramaphosa said.
He denied media speculation that the legal action was an indication Ramaphosa wished to return to politics.
A report in the Business Day newspaper suggested Ramaphosa could harbour ambitions of running for president.
”That is absolute, absolute rubbish. That is really stretching it,” he said.
”I am acting to protect my personal interests.”
Motsepe and Sexwale were not immediately available to comment on whether they had bought the luxury vehicle.
DaimlerChrysler could also not be reached for comment late on Wednesday afternoon. – Sapa