Bell Pottinger breached PR body code

BELL Pottinger‚ the controversial international public relations firm linked to the Gupta family‚ has been found to have breached the codes of the UK-based Public Relations and Communications Association.

But‚ while the company has been found to have contravened at least one of the association’s codes‚ it is still not known what action‚ if any‚ will be taken against it.

The association will release its findings and rulings on September 4.

The DA had taken Bell Pottinger to the association and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations over allegations that the firm was guilty of inciting racial hatred in South Africa.

Bell Pottinger is a member of both organisations, which have strict codes of governance.

The DA alleged the PR firm worked for the Guptas and devised a strategy of protest against “white monopoly capital” to divert attention away from criticism of the Gupta family’s activities and that such action violated the two organisations’ code of conduct.

The DA’s Phumzile van Damme said the party had received confirmation that its complaint against Bell Pottinger had been upheld.

“This means the PRCA professional practices committee agreed that Bell Pottinger did, indeed, violate its professional charter‚ and/or its public affairs and lobbying code of conduct.”

She said Bell Pottinger would be given five days to appeal.

“If Bell Pottinger appeals‚ the PRCA’s board of management will consider the appeal and either approve‚ amend or overrule the decision by the professional practices committee and then publish the final decision during the week beginning September 4.”

Van Damme said the DA looked forward to the PRCA’s full decision regarding disciplinary action against Bell Pottinger.

She said that during Bell Pottinger’s work for Oakbay Capital‚ the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma’s son‚ Duduzane, the company had exploited already sensitive race relations in South Africa.

“A strong message must be sent to the PRCA that unethical conduct by its members will not be tolerated,” she said. –