General Siphiwe Nyanda, the South African National Defence Force chief, on Sunday denied a media report that there was growing tension between him and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.

He was reacting to a Sunday newspaper report that tension was brewing between him and Lekota over Nyanda purchasing a luxury vehicle at a discounted rate from a company embroiled in the arms procurement controversy.

Nyanda in a statement said: "I state unequivocally that there has never been nor is there any tension or a rift between Lekota and myself on this or any other issue." He said he met Lekota on Thursday to discuss a number of matters including the purchase of motor vehicles. "Lekota understood and accepted my explanation and he was satisfied."

Nyanda said he also understood the minister's approach to the whole issue surrounding his acquisition of the vehicle. "I take the strongest exception to this report which has no factual basis expect the fact that Lekota and I met this week. "This report is the figment of imagination of reporter concerned," he said.

Lekota's spokesperson, Sam Mkhwanazi, said he would not comment. "This is a speculative story," he said.

After his meeting with Nyanda on Thursday, Lekota said he was happy, for now, with Nyanda's explanation of how he acquired his cut-rate Mercedes Benz S320 car.

Nyanda, who was on leave until last Wednesday, requested a meeting with Lekota in Pretoria on Thursday to explain how he came to buy the car.

Mkhwanazi said on Friday Lekota accepted the explanation.  

However, the government's controversial multi-billion rand arms deal was still being probed by the auditor-general, public protector and the national director of public prosecutions.

If the investigation revealed any evidence of wrongdoing or corruption on anyone's part, appropriate action would be taken against those involved, Mkhwanazi said.

Nyanda's name was on the list of VIPs who received discounted vehicles from the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), which has a stake in the arms deal.

Nyanda bought his car from EADS in January this year for R420 000 - 15,11 percent less than the retail price of R494 750.

Most major vehicle manufacturers offer a special discount to all public servants over and above the discounts offered to the general public. 

With acknowledgment to Sapa and Independent Online.