‘Maimane is a #1652!’ – DA leader’s cell number gets used in twar
Unsolicited text messages about the upcoming local government elections from the Democratic Alliance (DA) turned social media platform Twitter into a battleground over privacy on Sunday. Critics and supporters of the SMS campaign let rip with their opinions.DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s cellphone number ended up being shared with hundreds of thousands of people during the twar – with some suggesting that he should be the one at the receiving end of unsolicited calls and messages.“The DA needs volunteers for Election Day. Would you be able to assist for a few hours on 3 August‚” read of the party’s SMS messages shared online.Radio presenter Redi Tlhabi vented her frustration‚ complaining there was no option for people to opt out: “Whaat! REALLY? We must take time‚ to send u our personal info‚in order to UNSUBSCRIBE from list we did not choose?”Whaat! REALLY? We must take time, to send u our personal info,in order to UNSUBSCRIBE from list we did not choose? https://t.co/mpGbaiqS6f — Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) July 3, 2016async “& yr sms does not give us OPT OUT/ STOP option. It's the least u can do after accessing our numbers without consent‚” she tweeted.DA member of Parliament Gavin Davis tried to steer the debate in a different direction‚ tweeting: “#WhileYouComplainAboutAnSMS there are children at public schools with a 0% matric pass rate.”#WhileYouComplainAboutAnSMS there are children at public schools with a 0% matric pass rate. — Gavin Davis (@gavdavis) July 3, 2016async But @ThembiMrototo was having none of it and replied: “If you really cared you would use the money spent on your annoying SMS campaign to get those children tutors. SMH!”If you really cared you would use the money spent on your annoying SMS campaign to get those children tutors. SMH! https://t.co/et8Vhpyswt — thembekile (@ThembiMrototo) July 3, 2016async Users then realised that Maimane’s cellphone number ended with the digits 1652 – the year that Jan van Riebeck arrived to “oppress us”‚ said Mzwanele Manyi – and the debate went off on another tangent.Bo Mbindwane tweeted‚ “Mmusi Maimane's cellular phone number ends with ...1652. U just can't make this up! He is a #1652”Mmusi Maimane's cellular phone number ends with ...1652. U just can't make this up! He is a #1652— Bo Mbindwane (@mbindwane) July 3, 2016async - TMG Digital..
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