Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) states it is not involved in the R6.5 billion damages claim against the KwaZulu-Natal government and other state bodies named in the lawsuit over damages at TSAM’s Prospecton plant from the 2022 floods.
Tasneem Lorgat of TSAM says that Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd is pursuing legal action against eThekwini Municipality, the Department of Transport, and Transnet SOC Limited independently, with no direct involvement from TSAM.
“TSAM is neither facilitating nor funding the litigation proceedings by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd against defendants. Accordingly, TSAM will not benefit in any way from the subrogated recovery action against these entities,” Lorgat clarified.
According to Lorgat, it was TSAM that proactively contacted the affected defendants to inform them of the pending legal action initiated by a third-party insurance company, based on their established working relationship.
“Upon learning of the impending recovery litigation, TSAM undertook, with the consent of Tokio Marine, to engage with each of the defendants to advise of the impending subrogated recovery action,” she said.
At a recent media briefing, Department of Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma stated that he met with TSAM President and CEO Andrew Kirby to discuss the matter.
“Over the years, we have worked well with Mr Kirby, Mr Nigel Ward – Executive Vice President, Manufacturing, and the entire Toyota family. We have agreed that nothing should come between us and this enduring relationship,” Duma said.
“We do not doubt that Toyota will continue to be the most preferred brand in the country,”
he said.
