State cracks down on online slurs

[schumi]

The net is closing in on ANC-affiliated government officials who have used their personal social-media accounts to vent their frustration about President Jacob Zuma. They will face disciplinary action for breach of government’s social-media policy, among other charges.

The charge sheet shown to City Press against senior staff makes mention of people in the department of public service and administration who have made social-media postings against Zuma, their employer. The charges they face include violating the Constitution, the department’s policies and the National Government Handbook for senior managers.

One of the officials who confirmed he was facing the music was Brent Simons, chief director for training and development in the department of communications. His job includes providing strategic communication management and Cabinet support for Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi. He referred City Press to the department for details of the charges.

Government has fired staff members who posted controversial statements on social media that were deemed inappropriate.

The charges against Simons relate to comments he posted online against Zuma and Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini.

Simons, an experienced communicator who was spokesperson for the late public service and administration minister Collins Chabane, was demoted and “transferred” last year for allegedly calling for Zuma’s downfall on social media.

Mashwahle Diphofa, the director-general of the department of public service and administration, stated in the letter seen by City Press: “During the period of transfer, you will cease to be the spokesperson of the minister and the department.”

These are some of the posts that got Simons into trouble:

- “Zuma has no shame! He just screwed the entire nation on national TV. You are corrupt and should have resigned! You are a disgrace, Mr Zuma. You are a national embarrassment! You are a liar! You are not my leader! You are not my president! A special NGC [national general council] must be called to forcefully remove you from office.”

- “The current ANC NEC [national executive committee] has their heads so far up Zuma’s backside we can call them Zumastriches.”

More at: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/state-cracks-down-on-online-slurs-20161119

 

[grok]

He just said what many others are thinking..

 

[Sinbad]

Next step towards dictatorship

 

[TrueSeeker]

More at: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/state-cracks-down-on-online-slurs-20161119

That's exactly the way it would be done in any dictatorship. I hope those South Africans who blindly follow the zANC are happy to see their dream of a free democratic nation flushed down the toilet.

 

[Milano]

Zuma should file charges against himself every time he opens his own mouth.

 

[atomcrusher]

Zuma should file charges against himself every time he opens his own mouth.

Never a truer word ...

 

[supersunbird]

Just "ANC-affiliated government officials" or all government officials?

 

[Excalibur]

Very amateurish for an "experienced communicator".

 

[thestaggy]

Don't be stupid and whine about your employer/job on social media. That is amateur hour.

 

[Jase]

What happens in Luthuli house ....

 

[noxibox]

Don't be stupid and whine about your employer/job on social media. That is amateur hour.

Private account therefore none of their business. Even more so for a government, which cannot even use spurious claims of damage to reputation, as businesses do in trying to control their employees' private lives.

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

“Zuma has no shame! He just screwed the entire nation on national TV. You are corrupt and should have resigned! You are a disgrace, Mr Zuma. You are a national embarrassment! You are a liar! You are not my leader! You are not my president! A special NGC [national general council] must be called to forcefully remove you from office.”

+1