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PR firm Bell Pottinger apologises over S Africa campaign PR firm Bell Pottinger apologises over S Africa campaign
(about 11 hours later)
Public relations firm Bell Pottinger has apologised for its role in a media campaign in South Africa that critics say was inflaming racial tensions. A UK public relations firm has apologised over a controversial social media campaign in South Africa that critics say inflamed racial tensions.
The UK-based company sacked one employee and suspended another three, admitting the campaign was "offensive". The opposition said the campaign by Bell Pottinger was designed to stress the power of white-owned businesses.
Critics say it sought to stoke racial tensions by focusing on the dominant role of white-owned businesses. The London-based company sacked one employee and suspended another three, admitting the campaign was "offensive".
They claim it is part of a larger initiative to distract attention from allegations of massive corruption. Critics say its aim was to divert attention from claims of corruption made against President Jacob Zuma.
Claims of undue influence have been made against South African President Jacob Zuma, the wealthy Guptas family and their political allies. The South African President has faced allegations over his ties with the wealthy Guptas family. Mr Zuma and the Guptas have consistently denied all the allegations.
Mr Zuma and the Guptas have consistently denied all the allegations. Bell Pottinger was hired by Oakbay, a company owned by the Guptas.
'White monopoly capital''White monopoly capital'
In a statement on Thursday, Bell Pottinger Chief Executive James Henderson said: "We wish to issue a full, unequivocal and absolute apology to anyone impacted. Critics in South Africa and media outlets had for some time accused the PR firm of presenting opponents of President Zuma and the Guptas as agents of a "white monopoly capital" during a sustained campaign.
"These activities should never have been undertaken. We are deeply sorry that this happened."
Bell Pottinger said it had ended its contract with Oakbay, a company owned by the Guptas, three months ago.
The PR firm also said it had asked an independent law firm to review "the account and the work done on it".
Although that investigation was still continuing, Bell Pottinger said it had "already been shown interim evidence which has dismayed us".
Company critics in South Africa and media outlets had for some time accused the PR firm of presenting opponents of President Zuma and the Guptas as agents of a "white monopoly capital" during a sustained campaign.
Pressure on Bell Pottinger increased recently after local media had leaked emails allegedly showing its employees working with Guptas' representatives on a campaign focusing on "economic apartheid".Pressure on Bell Pottinger increased recently after local media had leaked emails allegedly showing its employees working with Guptas' representatives on a campaign focusing on "economic apartheid".
The authenticity of the emails has not been independently verified.The authenticity of the emails has not been independently verified.
Separately, Bell Pottinger was recently reported to a professional body for Britain's PR industy. In a statement on Thursday, Bell Pottinger Chief Executive James Henderson said: "We wish to issue a full, unequivocal and absolute apology to anyone impacted."
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's main opposition party, accused the PR company of unethical behaviour. Bell Pottinger said it had ended its contract with Oakbay three months ago.
The PR firm also said it had asked an independent law firm to review "the account and the work done on it", and that executives had been "misled" about the campaign.
Although that investigation was still continuing, Bell Pottinger said it had "already been shown interim evidence which has dismayed us".
'Apology not enough'
Save South Africa, a campaign bringing together civil rights groups critical of President Zuma, said the apology is not enough.
In a statement, it asked the PR firm "who it worked with in South Africa‚ what its brief was‚ and who provided that brief - and‚ most importantly‚ who it was 'misled' by".
There has been an outcry on social media in the country about the original campaign and the statement.
Critics doctored the company's Wikipedia page on Friday, accusing it of a "weak, meaningless and pathetic" apology.
In 2012, Bell Pottinger was accused of unethically editing its clients' Wikipedia pages by the website's founder, Jimmy Wales.
Bell Pottinger was also recently reported to a professional body for Britain's PR industry.
The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's main opposition party, again accused the PR company of unethical behaviour.