UK public relations firm Bell Pottinger – accused of stoking racial tension in South Africa — has cut ties with the Gupta family.

The controversial company claimed on Wednesday that it was the target of a politically-driven smear campaign in South Africa.

The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the Guptas holding company‚ Oakbay‚ had agreed to the termination of the contract.

The Sunday Times revealed in March how the Guptas and President Jacob Zuma separately roped in public relations consultants to help them win support after the backlash that followed the axing of Nhlanhla Nene as finance minister.

Bell Pottinger was allegedly part of an aggressive strategy to portray the Guptas as victims of a conspiracy involving “white monopoly capital“.

The company allegedly relied on social media‚ using fake bloggers and Twitter users‚ to manipulate public opinion.

“We have never embarked on any of these smearing‚ racist and politically abusive activities we have been accused of‚” the company said in its statement.