askowethu.co.za

Terms of Service

Last updated: May 22, 2026

Please read these Terms of Service ("Terms") carefully before using the AskOwethu platform, application, or website (the "Service") operated by AskOwethu ("we", "us", or "our").

By accessing or using the Service, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age, that you have read and understood these Terms, and that you agree to be bound by them. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Service.

1. About AskOwethu

AskOwethu is a technology platform that connects customers ("Customers") with independent local service providers ("Providers") for services such as electrical work, plumbing, cleaning, tutoring, handyman tasks, mechanical repairs, painting, gardening, and other local services.

AskOwethu is a marketplace intermediary only. We do not directly perform any services, employ Providers, or guarantee the outcome of any job. All services are rendered by independent Providers who are solely responsible for their work, qualifications, tools, conduct, and compliance with applicable laws.

2. User Accounts

To access certain features of the Service, you may be required to create an account. When creating an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information.
• Maintain and promptly update your account information.
• Keep your password confidential and not share it with third parties.
• Notify us immediately at Info@askowethu.co.za if you suspect any unauthorized use of your account.
• Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at our sole discretion, including if we believe you have violated these Terms or if your account has been inactive for an extended period.

3. Independent Service Providers

Providers on the AskOwethu platform are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or partners of AskOwethu. AskOwethu does not direct, control, or supervise the work performed by Providers. Accordingly:

• Providers are solely responsible for their tools, transport, qualifications, licensing, insurance, and compliance with all laws applicable to their trade.
• AskOwethu does not warrant the quality, safety, legality, or suitability of any service performed by a Provider.
• Any contract for services is formed directly between the Customer and the Provider. AskOwethu is not a party to that contract.
• Providers who register on the platform agree to a separate Provider Agreement, which governs their conduct, onboarding, and use of the Service.

4. Bookings, Quotes, and Platform Fees

Providers set their own prices and submit quotes directly to Customers. AskOwethu may add a platform fee to cover the cost of booking management, customer support, and payment protection. The total amount payable — including any applicable platform fee — will be presented to you before you confirm a booking.

You agree to review the total price before confirming any booking. By confirming a booking, you authorise payment of the stated total amount.

Platform fees are non-refundable unless a booking is cancelled in accordance with our cancellation policy or where required by applicable law.

5. Payments

Payments made through the Service are processed by third-party payment providers. AskOwethu does not store your full payment card details. By using payment features on the Service, you agree to the terms and privacy policy of the applicable payment processor.

Funds paid by a Customer for a job may be held in escrow until the job is confirmed complete. Provider payout may be released only after the Customer provides a valid completion code or after the dispute resolution period has elapsed, whichever applies.

6. Completion Code

Upon booking confirmation, Customers receive a unique completion code. This code is used to confirm that a job has been satisfactorily completed.

• You must only share the completion code with the Provider once you are satisfied that the agreed scope of work has been completed to an acceptable standard.
• Do not share the completion code before the work is done or if you are dissatisfied with the outcome.
• Once a completion code has been shared and the payment released, AskOwethu cannot guarantee recovery of funds.
• If you share the completion code in error or under duress, please contact us immediately at Info@askowethu.co.za.

7. Cancellations and Refunds

Customers may cancel a confirmed booking before the Provider has commenced work. In such cases, a refund may be issued minus any applicable cancellation fee. Once a Provider has commenced work, cancellation refunds are subject to our dispute resolution process.

If a Provider fails to arrive, abandons a job, or delivers work that materially deviates from the agreed scope, you should raise a dispute before sharing the completion code. Refunds in these circumstances are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Nothing in this section limits any rights you may have under the South African Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 ("CPA") or other applicable consumer protection legislation.

8. Dispute Resolution

If you are not satisfied with the service rendered, please follow this process:

• Do not share the completion code.
• Contact AskOwethu support at Info@askowethu.co.za or through the Service, describing the issue and providing any supporting evidence (photos, messages, etc.).
• AskOwethu will review available booking information, messages, photos, reviews, and Provider history to assist in resolving the dispute.
• We will aim to respond to disputes within 5 business days and endeavour to reach a fair outcome for both parties.

AskOwethu's decision in a dispute is final within the platform, but does not affect any statutory rights you may have under the CPA or other applicable legislation, including the right to refer disputes to the National Consumer Commission or a relevant industry ombud.

9. Customer Responsibilities

As a Customer, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information about your location, the scope of the job, urgency, and budget.
• Ensure that the Provider can safely and lawfully access the work area.
• Treat Providers with respect and not engage in abusive, threatening, or discriminatory conduct.
• Not attempt to circumvent the platform by engaging Providers for follow-on work outside the Service to avoid platform fees.
• Not submit false, misleading, or malicious reviews or reports about Providers.

10. Acceptable Use

You agree not to use the Service to:

• Violate any applicable law or regulation.
• Post or transmit any content that is unlawful, defamatory, fraudulent, obscene, or harmful.
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity.
• Attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Service, other user accounts, or our systems.
• Use automated tools (bots, scrapers, crawlers) to access, collect, or copy any content from the Service without our written permission.
• Engage in any activity that disrupts, damages, or interferes with the Service or our servers or networks.
• Use the Service to facilitate any illegal activity, including fraud, money laundering, or exploitation.

We reserve the right to investigate suspected violations of this section and to suspend or terminate access to the Service without notice.

11. Ratings and Reviews

Customers may rate and review Providers after a completed job. By submitting a rating or review, you confirm that it is honest, accurate, and based on your genuine experience. We reserve the right to remove reviews that are fraudulent, abusive, defamatory, or otherwise in breach of these Terms.

Reviews contribute to Provider quality assessment and may affect a Provider's approved status on the platform. AskOwethu may use reviews and reports to make decisions about whether a Provider remains listed on the Service.

12. Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content (excluding content submitted by users), features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of AskOwethu and its licensors. Our trademarks, logo, and trade dress may not be used in connection with any product or service without our prior written consent.

By submitting any content to the Service (including reviews, photos, or messages), you grant AskOwethu a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, modify, and display that content in connection with operating and improving the Service.

13. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, AskOwethu and its directors, employees, and affiliates shall not be liable for:

• Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Service.
• Any damage, loss, or injury caused by a Provider in the performance of services.
• Any loss arising from unauthorised access to or alteration of your data.
• Any content posted by users or third parties on or through the Service.

In no event shall our total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising out of or relating to your use of the Service exceed the total amount you paid to AskOwethu in the 3 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim, or R 500 (five hundred rand), whichever is greater.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for fraud, gross negligence, wilful misconduct, or any liability that cannot be excluded by law, including rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.

14. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless AskOwethu and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, judgments, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising out of or relating to your violation of these Terms, your use of the Service, or your interaction with any Provider or Customer.

15. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Service is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. We do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of any information provided through the Service.

16. Third-Party Links and Services

The Service may contain links to third-party websites or services that are not owned or controlled by AskOwethu. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party services you access.

17. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these Terms. Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease.

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at Info@askowethu.co.za. Termination does not release you from any obligations or liabilities that arose prior to termination.

Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination — including intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, and governing law — shall survive.

18. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

You agree that any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of South Africa. Nothing in this clause limits any statutory rights you may have, including the right to refer disputes to the National Consumer Commission, the National Consumer Tribunal, or any relevant industry ombud under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008.

We also comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 ("POPIA") with respect to any personal information we process. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for further details.

19. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time at our sole discretion. If a revision is material, we will provide at least 30 days' notice prior to the new terms taking effect, by posting the updated Terms on this page and updating the "Last updated" date at the top.

What constitutes a material change will be determined at our sole discretion. By continuing to access or use the Service after any revisions become effective, you agree to be bound by the revised Terms. If you do not agree to the new Terms, you must stop using the Service.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published by us on the Service, constitute the entire agreement between you and AskOwethu concerning the Service and supersede all prior agreements, representations, and understandings.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• By email: Info@askowethu.co.za