Dear Kupido and Roland THIS is also abuse of ratepayer funds MyZA

The Nelson Mandela Bay Communications office is tasked to inform the public and media of pertinent information to do with the Municipality. To that end they make use of various avenues – media lists, social media, newspaper adverts, internal publications etc.

All information released by the Municipal Communications office can be found here: http://mype.co.za/new/author/nmb-communications/ (expect this to dry up as I think MyPE may be quietly removed from that media list soon).

I received the email below this morning:

Media Alert

November 19, 2013

Community structures unite to help family of Uitenhage riot victim

After receiving a plea for help from the family of 10-year-old Marisha Speelman, the ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay, Clergy from Uitenhage and Afrisave, one of the local companies that take their social responsibility seriously, will be making an announcement at the premises of Afrisave in Uitenhage at 13:30 today (Tuesday, 19 November).

This initiative shows how different community structures can unite to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Marisha, daughter of Bonakele and Maria Speelman, came to her tragic demise last week at a time when public and private property was damaged and the lives threatened of legitimately elected public representatives.

An announcement will be made regarding assistance to the grief-stricken family.

For more information, please contact ANC Regional Secretary, Mr Zandisile Qupe, at 082 303 5690.

Ends

Issued by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Media Management Officer Kupido Baron (082 780 2726 / 041 506 1500 / kbaron@mandelametro.gov.za / @kupidobaron).

Why do I say that this is an abuse of Ratepayers money?

If the IFP or COPE or DA or any other party asked the Communications office for use of their media list I have a reasonable expectation that they would be refused.
As an example MyPE, out of respect for our subscribers, does NOT provide or send out emails on behalf of other media companies or businesses.
This is not a Municipal organised event but an ANC organised event USING the municipal media list and officials in an attempt to gain traction.
The communications department is trying to guilt media into covering this ‘event’.
I find it a bit creepy that the people holding this ‘event’ are seeking media coverage and, frankly, appearing to be ghouls around a private tragedy brought about by the failure of our municipality to deliver service.
Trying to equate the death of a child at the hands of savages with “the lives threatened of legitimately elected public representatives” is stretching to breaking point the tenuous link to any form of legitimacy.

What next?

Emailed press releases announcing the sale of ANC T-Shirts, Lanyards, Funeral Posters and more?
Press release invites to attend private birthday parties?

@MyPE @NMBmunicipality @HeraldPE @rochelledekock a disgraceful conflation of party and state! UNACCEPTABLE!

— Andrew Whitfield (@andrewhitfield) November 19, 2013