Legalbrief | your legal news hub Thursday 30 September 2021
Four sacked by Gupta-linked PR firm
The ‘white monopoly capital’ catchphrase coined by the Guptas’ public relations consultants to divert attention from accusations of state capture, has claimed its first four scalps at the company and produced a grovelling apology. UK-based Bell Pottinger said yesterday it had dismissed a lead partner, a partner and two other staff involved in handling the Oakbay Capital account, notes a BusinessLIVE report. Bell Pottinger engaged international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills to review the Oakbay account and the work it had done on it. Three months ago, Bell Pottinger said it had decided to cease work for Oakbay Capital after a year-long relationship. The law firm was contracted after claims that Bell Pottinger ‘supported or aided campaigns to stir up racial division in SA’. Bell Pottinger CEO James Henderson said the investigation was continuing and would be completed in the next few weeks. ‘We intend to publish the findings of that report and take appropriate action‚’ Henderson said. Interim evidence shown to the group had dismayed it. ‘Much of what has been alleged about our work is … not true – but enough of it is to be of deep concern‚’ he said.
In a detailed statement, the company said it took decisive action to not repeat previous mistakes, notes a Mail & Guardian report. ‘At various points throughout the tenure of the Oakbay account, senior management have been misled about what has been done. For it to be done in SA, a country which has become an international beacon of hope for its progress towards racial reconciliation, is a matter of profound regret and in no way reflects the values of Bell Pottinger,’ the statement read. The company apologised to anyone impacted by this, adding that such activities should have never been undertaken.
Pressure continues to build on the firm to come clean on its business with Gupta-owned company Oakbay. Yesterday’s revelation comes as Bell Pottinger is facing the UK-based Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) regarding allegations by the DA that it stoked racial hatred in SA, says a Fin24 report. DA spokesperson on communication Phumzile van Damme said Bell Pottinger has until next Thursday (13 July) to submit written observations relating to the PRCA’s Professional Charter and Code of Conduct. The PR firm appears to have violated, among others, clause 4 of the PRCA’s Charter, which states that, ‘[a] member is required to take all reasonable care that professional duties are conducted without causing offence on the grounds of gender, race, religion, disability or any other form of discrimination or unacceptable reference’, the DA claimed.
An apology is not enough, the DA said. Van Damme is quoted in a News24 report as saying the company should donate money it made from Gupta family business to good causes. It also implored them to share more information on their dealings. ‘If this apology was to be taken seriously, the company would fully disclose all dealings with the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma. More pertinently, they would commit to using all profits obtained from Gupta business deals to invest in building schools or any developmental NGOs in SA.’ Van Damme said until the company either revealed more about their dealings or donated monies, the apology was ‘nothing but a PR-stunt brought on by the public pressure applied by the DA and the South African people’.