Your Community,
Connected.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Effective Date: 1 June 2026

Welcome to Upington Connect. These Terms and Conditions govern the use of the Upington Connect website, mobile platforms, and services. By using our platform, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

1. DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of these Terms and Conditions:

“Upington Connect”, “we”, “our”, or “us” refers to Upington Connect (Pty) Ltd.

“User”, “customer”, or “you” refers to any person utilizing or accessing our online connection platform.

“Ride Services” refers to peer-to-peer independent transportation connection services coordinated through our platform.

“Rental Services” refers to peer-to-peer accommodation or property rental connection arrangements facilitated through our platform.

“Driver” refers to any independent third-party provider offering transportation services.

“Property Owner” or “Host” refers to any independent third-party listing rental accommodation or housing options.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By accessing or using Upington Connect services, you confirm that:

• You are at least 18 years old or have explicit permission from a legal parent or guardian.
• You agree to fully comply with and be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions.
• You possess valid South African documentation and verified local contact details.
• All information you provide to the platform is accurate, complete, and truthful.
• If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you may not use our platform or services.

3. SERVICES PROVIDED

Upington Connect provides a local digital marketplace and intermediary platform that allows users to:

• Connect with independent local transportation providers for ride bookings.
• Communicate securely with independent drivers, property owners, and hosts.
• Make online inquiries and connection reservations.

CRITICAL REGULATORY NOTICE:

Upington Connect acts strictly as an intermediary digital marketplace connecting community members with independent providers.

We do not own, manage, or operate any vehicles or rental properties listed on the website.

We do not handle, process, intermediate, or authorize payments between users, drivers, or hosts.

4. USER ACCOUNTS

Users are required to create an authorized account to access platform features. You agree to:

• Keep your account login credentials confidential and secure, and never permit third parties to access your profile.
• Provide and continuously maintain accurate, current, and updated personal profile information.
• Accept sole legal responsibility for all activities, bookings, and conduct initiated under your account credentials.
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that contain fraudulent information or violate these Terms.
• If you suspect your account has been compromised, notify us immediately at info@upingtonconnect.co.za.

5. BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS

5.1 Ride Bookings

Ride connection requests are entirely subject to the availability of independent drivers.

Estimated arrival times are indicators and may vary based on traffic, weather conditions, and seasonal local demand.

Estimated fares will be displayed before or during the booking connection process.

Independent drivers may request additional direct adjustments for excessive waiting times, route diversions, physical damage, or necessary vehicle cleaning.

5.2 Rental Property Bookings

Property bookings are entirely subject to the host's direct availability.

Pricing displayed on the website may vary depending on local booking seasons, specific dates, and occupancy limitations.

Guests must strictly follow all property-specific guidelines, terms, and house rules provided by the independent host.

Security deposits may be required directly by property hosts prior to check-in.

5.3 Payments

Upington Connect does not process, handle, intermediate, or collect payments between users and independent service providers.

All financial transactions must be finalized directly between the user and the landlord or independent driver.

Landlords, drivers, and users are solely responsible for managing, securing, and agreeing upon their own payment arrangements.

Failure to complete direct payment agreements may result in immediate booking cancellation.

6. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

6.1 Ride Cancellations

Users may cancel a ride connection request via the platform prior to the independent driver's arrival.

Direct cancellation assessments may be requested by the driver if they have already travelled a significant distance to the pickup location.

6.2 Rental Booking Cancellations

Cancellation policies, notice periods, and refund thresholds are determined solely by the independent property owner or host.

Refund eligibility is subject to the specific terms set by the host and the timing of the notice.

Upington Connect reserves the right to suspend booking connection services for users or providers due to active safety concerns, fraudulent activity, or unforeseen compliance issues.

7. USER RESPONSIBILITIES

Users agree and warrant:

• Not to utilize the platform or connections for any unlawful, illegal, or unauthorized activities.
• Not to damage or vandalize vehicles or rental properties.
• To treat all drivers, hosts, community members, and platform support staff respectfully.
• Not to transport or introduce illegal substances, weapons, or hazardous materials into connected vehicles or properties.
• Not to smoke within vehicles or properties where smoking is prohibited by the provider.
• Users will be held personally and financially liable for any property damage or loss caused during a ride or rental stay.

8. DRIVER AND HOST RESPONSIBILITIES

Independent drivers and property owners utilizing Upington Connect agree and warrant:

• To provide entirely accurate, updated, and verified descriptions of their vehicles, properties, and licensing status.
• To maintain all vehicles and properties in safe, sanitary, and legally compliant working conditions.
• To strictly comply with all applicable local and national South African laws, licensing rules, and zoning regulations.
• To behave professionally, ethically, and respectfully toward all customers.
• To protect user privacy and maintain absolute confidentiality regarding trip histories, routing details, rental stays, and visitation details.
• Drivers must never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, medication, or any intoxicating substances.
• Drivers and hosts must never disclose passenger routing, destinations, tenant lists, schedules, or personal details to unauthorized third parties under any circumstances.

Upington Connect reserves the right to remove any driver or host from the platform who violates these security and privacy standards.

9. SAFETY AND LIABILITY

• While Upington Connect aims to facilitate secure local community connections:
• We do not guarantee uninterrupted, continuous, or completely error-free operation of the online platform.
• Users acknowledge and accept that independent transportation and property rental arrangements involve inherent risks.
• Upington Connect shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of the use of our intermediary platform.
• To the maximum extent permitted under South African law, Upington Connect is not responsible or liable for:
• Personal injury, property loss, or behavioural misconduct caused by third parties (including independent drivers and hosts).
• Lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings during a transit connection or property stay.
• Delays or operational service disruptions caused by third-party actions, road conditions, weather, or technical failures.
• Private civil disputes arising between users, drivers, landlords, or property owners

10. PROPERTY DAMAGE AND CLEANING FEES

• Physical damage caused to third-party vehicles, properties, or community infrastructure.
• Excessive dirt, structural stains, smoking-related odour damage, or vandalism requiring professional remediation.
• Missing furniture, fixtures, appliances, or properties belonging to the host or driver.
• Repair or replacement compensation will be determined based on direct independent assessments.

11. PRIVACY AND POPIA COMPLIANCE

• Upington Connect respects user privacy and strictly processes personal data in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”) of South Africa. By using our platform, you consent to the processing of data to facilitate profile verification, support communications, platform security, and fraud prevention. Please consult our complete POPIA Privacy Policy for more detail.

12. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

Platform users may not:

• Create false profiles, utilize fake identities, or input fraudulent credentials.
• Harass, stalk, threaten, discriminate against, or abuse drivers, hosts, or other community members.
• Use the platform to coordinate fraudulent transactions or criminal operations.
• Attempt to hack, disrupt, reverse-engineer, or maliciously interfere with platform code, networks, or servers.
• Violations will result in immediate profile termination and referral to law enforcement authorities.

13. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All platform code, website layout, trademarks, logos, branding, graphics, and textual copy are the exclusive intellectual property of Upington Connect (Pty) Ltd. Users are prohibited from copying, reproducing, distributing, or scraping any platform content without formal, written authorization.

14. CHANGES TO SERVICES AND TERMS

Upington Connect reserves the right to modify or discontinue features, update these Terms and Conditions, or adjust platform requirements at any time. Changes will be posted to our central website and will take effect immediately upon digital publication.

15. TERMINATION OF ACCESS

• We retain the absolute right to suspend or terminate platform access without prior notice if a user violates these Terms, poses an operational safety risk to drivers or hosts, or engages in harmful brand conduct.

16. GOVERNING LAW

• We retain the absolute right to suspend or terminate platform access without prior notice if a user violates these Terms, poses an operational safety risk to drivers or hosts, or engages in harmful brand conduct.

17. CONTACT INFORMATION

For any queries or formal compliance inquiries regarding these Terms and Conditions, please contact us:

Upington Connect (Pty) Ltd
Email: info@upingtonconnect.co.za
Phone: +27 81 326 9667
Location: Upington, Northern Cape, South Africa

• Upington Connect (Pty) Ltd — Terms & Conditions

18. AGREEMENT

By registering an account or utilizing Upington Connect connection services, you formally confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by these Terms and Conditions.