Voters livid over DA text messages

THE Democratic Alliance’s local government elections campaign has been dealt a blow after voters complained that the party was invading their privacy.

Recently, the party has randomly been phoning or sending text messages to ordinary citizens, saying they should vote for the DA in the elections on August 3.

But people went to social media saying they felt their privacy had been invaded by the DA since they had never given the party their contact details.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s spokesman Mabine Seabi yesterday said phoning and sending people text messages about voting for the DA was an accepted form of campaigning.

He said those that were unhappy about the move had an option to opt out via an SMS or can send the party an e-mail to opt out.

“We are not threatened by those who do not agree with how we campaign. Some are happy, while others are not. Some are happy that the DA is speaking to them.”

Seabi also accused the ANC of sending its supporters to complain on social media about their campaign.

“The majority of the people that are complaining are ANC members. The ANC sent its people to complain,” he said.

However, Seabi did not have proof that those who were complaining were sent by the governing party.

Angry social media users retaliated, posting DA leaders’ cellphone numbers, including those of Maimane, Patricia de Lille and Helen Zille, calling on anyone to send them messages.

What angered some people were text messages like this one: “The DA needs volunteers for Election Day. Would you be able to assist for a few hours on 3 August?”

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.

“& 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.