📋 Terms and Conditions

📌 1. Introduction

Welcome to Best Catch, operated by Sihiya Technology (Pty) Ltd. These Terms and Conditions govern your use of our website www.bestcatch.co.za and the services we provide. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to be bound by these terms.

🔐 2. User Accounts

2.1 Registration

• You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
• You must provide accurate and complete information during registration
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account

2.2 User Types

• Buyers: Purchase seafood and related products
• Sellers: List and sell seafood products (subject to verification)
• Investors: Invest in fishing businesses and projects

2.3 Seller Verification

All sellers must undergo verification before listing products. This includes:

• Business registration documents
• Food handling and safety certifications
• Bank account verification
• Identity verification

🛒 3. Products and Services

3.1 Product Listings

• Sellers are responsible for accurate product descriptions, pricing, and images
• All seafood products must comply with South African health and safety regulations
• Products must be fresh and suitable for consumption
• Best Catch reserves the right to remove any listing that violates our policies

3.2 Pricing

• All prices are displayed in South African Rand (ZAR)
• Prices include VAT where applicable
• Delivery costs are calculated separately and shown at checkout
• Sellers may update prices, but changes do not affect orders already placed

3.3 Product Availability

• Product availability is subject to stock and catch availability
• We reserve the right to cancel orders if products become unavailable
• You will be notified immediately if your order cannot be fulfilled

💳 4. Payments

4.1 Payment Methods

We accept the following payment methods:

• Credit/Debit Cards (via PayFast)
• Instant EFT (via PayFast)
• PayPal
• Manual EFT/Bank Transfer

4.2 Payment Processing

• Payments are processed securely through PayFast and PayPal
• Your payment information is never stored on our servers
• Payment must be received before order processing begins
• For EFT payments, orders are processed upon confirmation of payment receipt

4.3 Payment Security

• All transactions are encrypted using SSL technology
• We comply with PCI-DSS security standards
• We will never ask for your payment details via email or phone

🚚 5. Delivery

Please refer to our Delivery Policy for complete details.

5.1 Delivery Areas

• We deliver nationwide across South Africa
• Delivery times and costs vary by location
• Same-day delivery available in selected areas

5.2 Delivery Times

• Standard delivery: 1-3 business days
• Express delivery: Same day or next day (where available)
• Remote areas: 3-5 business days

↩️ 6. Returns, Refunds & Cancellations

Please refer to our separate policies:

• Refund Policy
• Cancellation Policy

🛡️ 7. User Conduct

7.1 Prohibited Activities

You agree not to:

• Use the platform for any illegal or unauthorized purpose
• Violate any laws in your jurisdiction
• Infringe on the rights of others
• Transmit any viruses or malicious code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent content
• Engage in price manipulation or unfair practices

7.2 Content Standards

• Product images must accurately represent the product
• Descriptions must be truthful and not misleading
• Reviews and ratings must be honest and genuine
• No offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate content

📊 8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Our Rights

• All content on Best Catch is owned by Sihiya Technology (Pty) Ltd
• This includes logos, trademarks, designs, text, images, and software
• You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without permission

8.2 Your Content

• You retain ownership of content you upload (product images, descriptions, reviews)
• By uploading content, you grant us a license to use, display, and distribute it
• You warrant that you have the right to upload the content
• You warrant that your content does not infringe on third-party rights

⚖️ 9. Liability and Disclaimers

9.1 Platform Role

• Best Catch acts as a marketplace connecting buyers and sellers
• We are not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers
• Sellers are solely responsible for product quality, freshness, and safety
• We facilitate payments but do not guarantee transaction success

9.2 Limitation of Liability

• We provide the platform "as is" without warranties of any kind
• We are not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Our total liability is limited to the amount paid for the relevant transaction
• We are not liable for losses caused by seller negligence or misconduct
• We are not liable for delivery delays beyond our control

9.3 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Best Catch and Sihiya Technology (Pty) Ltd from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the platform
• Your violation of these terms
• Your violation of any rights of third parties
• Your content uploaded to the platform

🔒 10. Privacy and Data Protection

• We collect and process personal data in accordance with POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act)
• Your data is used to provide services, process orders, and improve your experience
• We do not sell your personal information to third parties
• Please refer to our Privacy Policy for complete details

💰 11. Investor Platform

11.1 Investment Opportunities

• Best Catch facilitates investments in fishing businesses and projects
• All investments are subject to risks and potential losses
• We do not provide financial advice or guarantees
• Investors must conduct their own due diligence

11.2 Investment Risks

• Investment returns are not guaranteed
• You may lose some or all of your investment
• Past performance does not indicate future results
• Best Catch is not liable for investment losses

🔄 12. Changes to Terms

• We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time
• Changes will be posted on this page with an updated date
• Continued use of the platform after changes constitutes acceptance
• Material changes will be communicated via email

⚡ 13. Termination

13.1 By You

• You may close your account at any time
• Outstanding orders must be completed or cancelled
• Pending payments must be settled

13.2 By Us

We may suspend or terminate your account if:

• You violate these terms
• You engage in fraudulent or illegal activities
• You harm other users or our reputation
• Your account remains inactive for extended periods

⚖️ 14. Dispute Resolution

14.1 Governing Law

• These terms are governed by the laws of South Africa
• Disputes will be resolved in South African courts

14.2 Dispute Process

1. Contact our support team to attempt resolution
2. If unresolved, disputes may be referred to mediation
3. Legal action is a last resort

🌐 15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These terms, together with our Privacy Policy, Refund Policy, Cancellation Policy, and Delivery Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Best Catch.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

15.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these terms does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these terms without our written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.