DA Leader, Mmusi Maimane briefs media about their review of the first 100 days of Cyril Ramaphosa as President at their headquarters in Bruma, 21 May 2018. They say there has been some positive changes regarding SOE boards, but they feel it has become apparent that he is still constrained by his party and that cracks are showing within his party between himself and some interest groups that got him elected and he cannot bring about the positive change that South Africa needs. Picture: Neil McCartney
The Democratic Alliance has finally heeded calls from South Africans wishing to be removed from the party’s communication database. The DA has been criticised on social media for calling citizens and sending messages criticising other parties, and presenting itself as a party that will solve problems other parties’ failures.
The party defended its actions, saying its communication was intended to “encourage people to exercise their rights in our democracy”.
“However, we respect voters’ right to choose not to receive communication from us,” it said.
People had resorted to sharing DA numbers on social media to either ignore or block when they eventually contacted them, but it did not seem to help as the party uses different numbers. Now the party has responded to inquiries from citizens wishing to be removed from the party’s database.
To unsubscribe from the party’s database, go to their website and tick boxes about whether you wish to stop receiving messages, emails or calls.
The website will, however, ask for your number, ID number and email address “to ensure we associate your contact information with the correct person and nobody else”.
“Without this information, we cannot guarantee that you will be permanently removed from DA communication,” said the party.
Those unwilling to provide their details can unsubscribe on emails sent by the party, or reply STOP to messages they receive. Alternatively, you can send your ID number to SocialMedia@da.org.za with your request to be removed from their database.
The party has, however, been criticised for asking citizens to provide details to be removed from its database when it never asked for permission to use those same details to contact them.
“But where did you get the records from the first place? I never applied to be contacted, why must I apply now to be taken out?” asked Twitter user @Peli_Peli07.
(Compiled by Vhahangwele Nemakonde)
Also read: EFF and DA supporters go to war over Maimane’s ‘personal number’
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.