Goodluck Jonathan’s PR adviser sanctioned in South Africa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s Public Relations adviser, Bell Pottinger, has been blacklisted by Public Relations and Communications Association in South Africa .

Powerbase listed the firm as working for Jonathan in 2014 in preparation for the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria .

Africa confidential had at the period stated that “ Joe Trippi, who worked on the campaigns of such luminaries as Walter Mondale , Edward Kennedy and Howard Dean , is advising Jonathan. Alongside him is Bell Pottinger, the firm that helped Margaret Thatcher win three elections . ”

Reports in South African media , however , noted that the British public relations firm was removed as a member of the PRCA after it was accused of exploiting racial divisions in South Africa on behalf of the Gupta family.

A statement by PRCA on Tuesday said the role played by the PR firm in the construction of the Gupta family’s propaganda empire‚ consisted of multi - national fake news scheme to hide the family’s growing enrichment at the expense of South African citizens and taxpayers .

The Association announced that it has imposed its most serious sanctions on Bell Pottinger‚ following the industry regulator ’s investigation into Bell Pottinger’s work for Oakbay Capital in South Africa .

The investigation followed a complaint from the Democratic Alliance .

Bell Pottinger’s membership has been terminated with immediate effect.

Bell Pottinger will not be eligible to reapply for corporate membership of the PRCA for a minimum period of five years .

Mr . Francis Ingham‚ Director General of PRCA‚ said: “Bell Pottinger has brought the PR and communications industry into disrepute with its actions ‚ and it has received the harshest possible sanctions .

“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 been found to have breached the PRCA Professional Charter and Public Affairs and Lobbying Code of Conduct .

The firm was accused of breaching professional charter clause 1 . 1 ;

PRCA Professional Charter clause 4 ; PRCA Public Affairs and Lobbying Code of Conduct clause 12 ; PRCA Public Affairs and Lobbying Code of Conduct clause 13 .

NAN