Bell Pottinger ousted from PR body but South Africa isn’t happy just yet

bell pottinger

UK-based public relations and marketing agency Bell Pottinger has been expelled from an industry trade body after its business with the Gupta-owned Oakbay Capital was found to bring “PR and communications industry into disrepute”.

This comes after a complaint lodged by the Democratic Alliance in July prompted an investigation by the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA). The news also signals Bell Pottinger’s removal from the PRCA for at least five years.

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“Bell Pottinger has brought the PR and communications industry into disrepute with its actions, and it has received the harshest possible sanctions,” explains Francis Ingham, director general of the PRCA in a statement.

“The PRCA has never before passed down such a damning indictment of an agency’s behaviour.

“This outcome reflects the huge importance that the PRCA places on the protection of ethical standards in the business of PR and communications.”

‘Bell Pottinger has brought the PR and communications industry into disrepute with its actions’

After the news broke #BellPottinger began trending across South Africa, with many applauding the PRCA’s decision.

Some questioned the verdict itself, noting that South Africa’s issues of racial relations run much deeper than a PR company.

But others called into question the company that hired Bell Pottinger, namely the Gupta’s Oakbay.

“Consequences of racially divisive diversion campaign are dire for #BellPottinger. What should be the consequences for those that hired them?” former SA public protector Thuli Madonsela tweets.

Bell Pottinger’s founder Lord Tim Bell called for changes in the company’s leadership structure.

He also left his phone on during a Newsnight interview, which prompted an entire discussion of its own.

“We’ve had some pretty weird interviews on #newsnight over the years but not many weirder than this one last night,” Newsnight editor Ian Katz tweets.

Additionally, some questioned the strength of South Africa’s resolve to discipline companies and individuals.

While the DA also had a few comments of its own, lead by its spokesperson Phumzile Van Damme.

The latter tweet also prompted #GuptaGate’s arrival as a trending topic.

As for Bell Pottinger, a new statement was not released. However, the company republished a statement made in July on its homepage.

“We wish to issue a full, unequivocal and absolute apology to anyone impacted. These activities should never have been undertaken. We are deeply sorry that this happened,” Bell Pottinger’s Henderson concludes in the statement.

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