US motor giant Ford has entered behind-the-scenes talks with SA's consumer watchdog to end the scandal of burning Ford Kuga SUVs, which, according to a Sunday Times report, has enraged victims of the debacle who were hoping the company would be prosecuted and held liable for damages.

The newspaper says the move comes after the National Consumer Commission (NCC) did an about-turn on its stated intention to prosecute Ford, after the company approached it to reach a negotiated settlement instead. If a settlement is reached, as seems likely, potentially damning details of cases that could have been aired during Ford's prosecution at the National Consumer Tribunal will remain under wraps.

The maximum fine the tribunal could issue is 10% of Ford SA's annual turnover, running into millions of rands. A settlement could limit the options of 4 556 motorists whose Kugas were recalled in January 2017 because of fire safety issues, and the 86 owners whose vehicles were destroyed in fires between 2015 and 2018.

Critics are accusing the NCC of putting Ford's interests above those of consumers, which the NCC denies.

Acting Commissioner Thezi Mabuza said the commission's mandate was to ensure consumers who had suffered received the redress they required.

‘Compensation falls outside of the commission's mandate, with administrative fines paid to the National Revenue Fund. Once judgment is issued, judgment copies are provided to complainants who are advised on how to claim damages in court,’ Mabuza is quoted as saying.

Full Sunday Times report (subscription needed)