Bishop Victor adds, “During these seven years, we have journeyed with the victims of the listeriosis outbreak with the recognition that the contaminated processed meats central to this crisis – mainly polony and viennas – are the common food for the poor and the struggling middle class. This means that the majority of the listeriosis victims are the voiceless members of our society, those easily forgotten by those in the corridors of corporate power.”
“Today's decision by Tiger Brands marks a momentous breakthrough for the voiceless in our society and a sign of the victory of the Risen Lord, who has walked with them for seven years on the road to Emmaus,” he says.
Bishop Victor further laments, “While supporting them to initiate legal action against Tiger Brands and steadfastly standing with them in their pursuit of justice, it has been disappointing that Tiger Brands took so long to effectively admit de facto liability and provide much-needed closure to affected families.”
In the statement, the South African member of the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries (MCM) describes the “delayed” action on the part of Tiger Brands as a “form of conversion” that South Africa “desperately” needs.
He says that Tiger Brands’ latest move “demonstrates that some form of conversion of corporate heart can happen in the business sector, and this is the kind of conversion that is so desperately needed in South Africa.”
The Catholic Church leader goes on to thank stakeholders in realization of the compensation to the victims of the 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak, that is, those who “fought for them and helped restore their dignity as God's messengers of hope, including the National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Richard Spoor Inc., and LHL Attorneys.”
Bishop Victor urges Tiger Brands and the class action attorneys to “finalize the settlement quickly without unnecessary delays.”
“Tiger Brands, the class attorneys, and the Department of Health must take effective measures to guarantee that all victims are able to receive the compensation they deserve, leaving nobody behind or excluded from this settlement,” he says.
In this statement shared with ACI Africa, the Chairperson of the Social Action Department at SACBC underscores the need for “a new vision of humanity in which powerful companies are called out and held to account when their corporate greed causes massive harm in the lives of the poor.”
“Our prayer is that the decision today by Tiger Brands sets an example for other companies facing class actions involving the poorest of the poor, particularly coal mining companies in lawsuits involving sick mine workers. These companies should seek fair settlements and stop dragging the cases out for years, which only deepens the suffering of the poor,” he says.
