
Johannesburg - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) plans to launch a class court action against companies involved in the spread of the deadly bacteria, listeriosis, EFF leader Julius Malema said on Thursday.
Malema blamed government and the National Consumer Commission for the "slow pace" in containing the spread of listeriosis.
"The first step should have been to declare a crisis once the source was identified, taking into consideration that ours is the largest outbreak in history," Malema said.
"Many retail outlets in rural South Africa still have products that are linked to listeriosis, and in a addition, there is no disposal plan. These products may find their way back into circulation... Enterprise must take full responsibility for the outbreak and compensate those affected and families of those who died."
Malema said EFF lawyers would file papers in courts next week against companies involved in producing products linked to listeriosis outbreak.