PR firm, Bell Pottinger in breach of code, for South African campaign

PR firm, Bell Pottinger in breach of code, for South African campaign

A UK public relations firm has been found in breach of an industry code of conduct for a controversial social media campaign, South Africa's opposition party said.

Bell Pottinger was accused by the Democratic Alliance of inflaming racial tensions with the campaign.

The party said the UK Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) upheld a complaint.

Bell Pottinger, which declined to comment, can appeal the decision. The PRCA, which represents more than 20,000 members in the PR industry, can impose a range of sanctions. The most stringent is ending a firm's membership. The PR firm was hired by Oakbay, a company owned by the wealthy Gupta family. The PR firm said in April that it had ended its contract with Oakbay.

UCJ, UNILORIN.