Public relations and communications association
Complaint against Bell Pottinger employee Kevin Read discontinued
It was one of two complaints lodged by the Democratic Alliance in connection with the UK agency's work for the Gupta family in SA.
Since it was labelled as an unethical firm by the PRCA, some of the agency's clients chose to drop the firm.
There are also reports of major clients, including HSBC Bank, abandoning the company that met its own PR nightmare by working with the Gupta family on a racially divisive campaign.
The association dismissed out of hand the agency's claim that it had no idea the campaign it ran could have inflamed racial discord.
The DA approached the PRCA in London with evidence against Bell Pottinger that it attempted to sow racial hatred in South Africa while working with the Gupta-run Oakbay.
The party says this means the association has agreed that the public relations (PR) firm did indeed violate its professional charter.
The DA will also host a picket outside the offices of Bell Pottinger in London this afternoon.
According to the PRCA's procedures, an open hearing can only be done if both parties and the committee members agree to it.
The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) is investigating a complaint by the opposition party that Bell Pottinger stirred racial tensions in South Africa.
The company is accused of using racially divisive tactics to discredit Gupta family critics and those of President Jacob Zuma.
The PR agency has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has reportedly appointed a law firm to audit the work it has done for the Gupta-owned Oakbay Investments.