A local communications fundi has landed herself in hot water for posting other people’s pictures on her Instagram account and claiming them as her own.
She also allegedly made money from some of the pictures after claims surfaced that she had sold them.
Skye Grove, the Cape Town Partnership’s communications manager, has since deleted her Instagram account, on which she had about 40 000 followers, her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Online news and tech site Memeburn broke the story this week, detailing a number of instances of images Grove is alleged to have plagiarised.
Grove has an extensive photographic collection and has widely been seen as one of the country’s top instagrammers.
Yesterday, Grove said she hoped in time to restore her credibility.
In an e-mail Grove told the Cape Times: “I have issued an unreserved apology and am taking time out to be in individual contact with a number of people in an attempt to repair the damage caused.
“I am deeply remorseful and am committed to restore, in time, my credibility.
“I endeavour not only to learn personally from this experience but to be an advocate for the rights and responsibilities of artists.”
Attempts to contact the photographers and buyers yesterday were unsuccessful.
In a statement, Cape Town Partnership’s chief executive, Bulelwa Makalima-Ngewana, said she valued Grove’s insights, contribution and professionalism as an employee for the last two years.
“I am aware that these actions occurred in Skye’s personal life and in her capacity as a hobby photographer.
“I am also aware that personal and professional reputations are intertwined in the current social media climate.
“These blurred boundaries can bring painful truths to light.
“They also offer opportunities for profound learning and compassion.
“I believe that Skye’s actions in her private life have not detracted from the value she adds to our organisation.
“Nor do I have reason to believe that she’s been responsible for any misdemeanors in the course of her work at the Cape Town Partnership,” Makalima-Ngewana said.
Grove’s LinkedIn account said she studied at North-West University.
Her profile reads: “I have substantial experience in directing communication strategies in a variety of complex organisations. I am passionate about content, story-telling and the benefits that a fully integrated communications approach can bring to an organisation.”
She has worked at Cape Town Partnership since 2013 and before that, at Cape Town Tourism.
Grove was also a former marketing manager for UCT.
Adele Paulsen, executive director of the Institute for Public Relations and Communication Management Southern Africa warned against the theft of intellectual property.
She encouraged employers to check whether the people they selected to represent their brand belonged to a registered board.