Kupido’s head on the chopping block
Municipal spokesman summoned over Facebook poster shared prior to 2014 poll
NELSON Mandela Bay municipal spin doctor Kupido Baron has landed himself in hot water for an anti-DA social media post, dating back to 2014. It is believed he has been given an ultimatum to either resign or face disciplinary action for his Facebook posts prior to the 2014 general election.
Baron, who is a known ANC member and a former branch secretary, shared a poster in May 2014 which depicted white security police chasing a black boy.
The DA’s logo is on the poster along with the words “Miss the days when the black man knew his place? Vote DA. KKKnow your DA”.
He has since removed the post from his profile.
Baron was summoned to acting city boss Johann Mettler’s office on Friday where it is believed he was taken to task for his anti-DA social media posts in 2014.
While he confirmed that he was called to a meeting with Mettler, Baron declined to comment on what was discussed.
The Herald understands that he was allegedly told that the new political guard was uncomfortable with having him communicating the municipality’s message on their behalf, and that they did not have confidence in him.
The municipality does not have a social media policy in place and its communications policy, which is being redrafted, does not make mention of staff’s conduct on social media.
It was still unclear by yesterday afternoon whether Baron had been served with any notice informing him of pending disciplinary action.
Baron, who joined the municipality more than a decade ago, is an administrative staff member although he was seconded to the mayor’s office during former mayor Ben Fihla’s tenure to be the mayoral spokesman for about two years.
Municipal insiders said staff in the communications office were under a microscope with their every move scrutinised by mayoral chief of staff Kristoff Adelbert.
The Herald understands that all media queries or statements have to be cleared by Adelbert’s office before they are sent out.
Responding to questions which had also been copied to Adelbert, Mettler said the municipality was strengthening its strategic communication reach.
“Communications is, for the interim, a shared responsibility between the office of the city manager and the office of the executive mayor,” he said.
“A crucial part of such a strengthening exercise is the recent appointment of a mayoral spokesperson.”
Adelbert did not respond to the questions sent in the e-mail.
About the ultimatum to Baron, Mettler said: “I cannot comment on any aspect of the employeremployee relationship as it is considered confidential.
“In the normal course of events, any allegations of misconduct are investigated and, if found to be substantiated, will be acted upon.”
Communications is, for the interim, a shared responsibility between the office of the city manager and the office of the executive mayor