VelaCommerce Platform Terms of Service

These Platform Terms of Service ("Terms") form a binding agreement between you ("Merchant") and the operator of VelaCommerce ("VelaCommerce", "we", "us"). By creating a merchant account, you accept these Terms.

1. The platform

VelaCommerce is a multi-tenant South African e-commerce platform that provides storefront hosting, product and order management, payment connectors, delivery integrations, and related services (the "Platform").

2. Merchant accounts

• You must be a juristic person or natural person legally able to trade in South Africa.
• You are responsible for the accuracy of business information provided at signup.
• You must keep account credentials secure and notify us immediately of any suspected compromise.
• We may suspend accounts that breach these Terms or our Acceptable Use Policy.

3. Fees and payouts

Subscription fees, transaction fees, and payout schedules are set out in your order form or the published Pricing page. Payment provider charges are settled directly between the merchant and the payment processor (Ozow, Stitch, or other connected providers).

4. Merchant content and storefronts

You retain ownership of product data, brand assets, and customer data you upload ("Merchant Content"). You grant VelaCommerce a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, transmit, cache, and display Merchant Content solely to operate the Platform on your behalf.

5. Acceptable use

Use of the Platform is subject to our Acceptable Use Policy. Categories of prohibited goods include firearms, controlled substances, counterfeit goods, and any item whose sale would breach South African law.

6. Personal information & POPIA

Where VelaCommerce processes personal information of your end-customers on your instruction, we do so as an Operator under POPIA s.1. Our obligations are set out in the Data Processing Agreement which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Our processing of your own personal information is described in the Privacy Policy.

7. Uptime and support

We target 99.5% monthly uptime for the merchant console and storefront rendering. Planned maintenance windows are notified at least 48 hours in advance. Support is provided by email at support@velacommerce.co.za on business days.

8. Intellectual property

The Platform software, design system, brand marks ("VelaCommerce", "Aegis", "Savanna"), and documentation are owned by us or our licensors. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of platform IP to the merchant.

9. Suspension and termination

Either party may terminate on 30 days written notice. We may suspend or terminate immediately for material breach, unlawful conduct, non-payment beyond 14 days, or risk to platform integrity. On termination we will make a full export of your Merchant Content available for 30 days.

10. Liability

To the extent permitted by law, our total liability arising out of or in connection with these Terms is limited to fees paid by you in the 12 months preceding the claim. We are not liable for indirect, consequential, or loss-of-profit damages. Nothing limits liability for fraud, wilful misconduct, or liability that cannot be excluded under the Consumer Protection Act.

11. Governing law and disputes

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. We will attempt to resolve any dispute by good-faith negotiation, failing which the courts of South Africa have jurisdiction.

12. Changes

We may update these Terms by posting a revised version on this page and emailing the registered merchant contact at least 14 days before the change takes effect.