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The EFF calls on the President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a state of emergency as a mechanism to deal with the Listeriosis Outbreak. It is very clear that we are witnessing, yet again, another human rights violation related to the spread of Listeriosis. Already, 183 people have died due to Listeriosis and two Tiger Brands plants have been linked to the spread of this virus.

Listeriosis is threatening the most fundamental human right; which is the right to life. Although the food processing plantations that have been linked to the virus are Tiger Brands and Enterprise Foods, all food processing plantations should be indiscriminately subjected to radical examinations. This is to ensure, proactively, that none are linked to the spread of the virus or the potential thereof. 

If such steps are not taken with immediate effect, we risk losing more lives because we want to tiptoe over business arrogance. In addition, an immediate by-law must be imposed on all retail stores that before stocking any processed meat to sell to consumers, they  must ask for Listeriosis Clearance Certificates.

Finally, we call on the Health Minister to put all public health facilities on listeriosis related cases alert to ensure that at all times, we trace companies involved in negligence. Companies that refuse radical scrutiny must be shut down until they comply with all requirements. In defense of the basic human right to life, let us stop listeriosis now.

Issued by EFF