Were they just irresponsible or was law broken. It is difficult for me to see exactly which one. It was pointed out that there is certainly some merit to their other clients pressing a civil claim over the conflict of interest and harm caused to those companies. The wider public has recourse to what: Human rights commission, the press ombudsman, the public protector..? but what does one claim that they did? They made up a narrative and distributed it. It was twisted and political and cynical, but they sold it to people. Oakbay bought these services. They used their network to distribute this message. 
 
I think this is one of those things were you have to ask why its was possible to do in the first place. It was effective because it was paid for and backed. 

Where is the same anger at Oakbay, its directors and ceo, and the Guptas, at the ANC which has nurtured them?! The Gutpa's are for all intents and purposes foreign nationals actively involved in a colonialism....