Terms of Service

Terms of Service

SALUFA Platform — Applicable to All Registered Users

Last Updated: 20 August 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the SALUFA platform — whether as a buyer or a seller — you agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service and to comply with all applicable South African legislation, including but not limited to the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984, and the Livestock Brands Act 87 of 1962. These terms apply to all registered users of the platform.

SALUFA is operated by Amaqhawe SA Technologies (Pty) Ltd (trading as AMQ Digital). By continuing to use the platform, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted these terms in full.

TradeSafe Terms: All online payments on SALUFA are processed through TradeSafe, a licensed South African escrow provider. By completing an online payment, buyers and sellers additionally agree to be bound by TradeSafe's Terms of Service, available at tradesafe.co.za/terms. SALUFA's Terms of Service govern the marketplace relationship between SALUFA and its users; TradeSafe's Terms govern the escrow relationship between TradeSafe and the transacting parties. In the event of a conflict regarding the handling of escrow funds, TradeSafe's Terms shall prevail in respect of the financial mechanics.

2. Buyer Obligations

As a buyer on SALUFA, you agree to:

  • Conduct thorough physical inspections of all livestock prior to completing a purchase. For cash transactions, inspection must occur before any cash payment is made. For online transactions, inspection must occur at handover before confirming receipt
  • Acknowledge the pre-payment inspection confirmation checkbox, which confirms your understanding that condition-based disputes (health, appearance, weight) will not be accepted after payment or receipt confirmation
  • Utilise only the payment methods offered on the platform: online escrow (via TradeSafe) or a registered cash reservation
  • Refrain from misusing the dispute resolution process or submitting false or misleading claims, including false stolen livestock reports
  • Ensure you have the legal capacity and logistical means to transport and care for any livestock purchased
  • Obtain all required movement permits and documentation for livestock transport in accordance with South African law

3. Animal Welfare Compliance

All sellers must comply with applicable South African animal welfare legislation. Specifically:

  • Animals must be maintained in conditions that satisfy their physiological and behavioural needs
  • No animal that is suffering from disease, injury, or distress may be listed or sold on the platform
  • Adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care must be provided to all livestock at all times
  • The transportation of livestock must comply with Section 2A of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962
  • No form of animal cruelty, abuse, neglect, or abandonment is permitted

4. Health and Documentation Requirements

Sellers are required to:

  • Provide accurate health status information and up-to-date vaccination records for all listed livestock
  • Disclose any known diseases, defects, or health concerns without omission
  • Obtain all necessary movement permits and health certificates as required by applicable legislation
  • Maintain proper animal identification and branding in compliance with the Livestock Brands Act 87 of 1962
  • Adhere to disease control measures prescribed under the Animal Diseases Act 35 of 1984

5. Truthful Representation

Sellers must provide accurate and complete information in all listings, including:

  • Age, breed, weight, gender, and physical condition of livestock
  • Current health status and full vaccination history
  • Relevant production records, where applicable
  • Any known behavioural issues or special husbandry requirements
  • Origin, ownership history, and lawful title to sell

6. Prohibited Activities

The following activities are strictly prohibited and may result in immediate account suspension and referral to the relevant authorities:

  • Listing or selling diseased, injured, or otherwise unfit animals
  • Misrepresenting the condition, breed, age, health status, or characteristics of livestock
  • Listing or selling stolen, illegally obtained, or fraudulently documented animals
  • Listing animals without the required legal documentation
  • Engaging in any form of animal cruelty or activity prohibited under South African law
  • Selling animals for illegal purposes, including illegal slaughter or organised animal fighting

7. Seller Liability

Sellers bear sole responsibility for the accuracy of their listings and the condition of the livestock they offer for sale. By listing on SALUFA, sellers indemnify Amaqhawe SA Technologies (Pty) Ltd (trading as AMQ Digital) and the SALUFA platform against any claims, losses, or liabilities arising from non-compliance with animal welfare legislation, misrepresentation of livestock, or breach of any applicable law or contractual obligation.

8. Platform Fees

A platform fee of 5% applies to all completed sales, regardless of the payment method used.

8.1 Payment Method Tiers

The payment methods available to buyers depend on the total transaction value:

  • Up to R 200: Cash on Inspection only — online escrow is not available for small transactions
  • R 200 – R 10,000: Buyer's choice — online escrow (recommended) or Cash on Inspection
  • Above R 10,000: Online escrow only — for buyer protection, cash is not available for high-value purchases

8.2 Online Sales

The 5% SALUFA platform fee is automatically deducted from the seller's payout before funds are released from TradeSafe escrow. The TradeSafe escrow fee is paid by the buyer on top of the listing price and is not deducted from the seller's payout. No manual payment is required.

8.3 Cash Sales

The 5% platform fee is recorded at the time the seller confirms the cash sale via their Seller Dashboard. Outstanding fees are settled through deductions from future online payouts. Sellers may also settle fees via manual bank transfer — details are available in the Seller Dashboard.

8.4 Fee Enforcement Schedule

Unpaid platform fees from cash sales are subject to the following escalating enforcement schedule, based on the number of days overdue:

  • Days 0–7: Grace period — automated reminders issued; all features remain active
  • Days 7–14: Cash sale reservations disabled; online payments continue to function
  • Days 14–30: New listing creation disabled; existing listings remain active
  • Day 30+: Full account suspension until all outstanding fees are settled

All restrictions are lifted immediately upon confirmed settlement of outstanding fees.

8.5 Fee Adjustments

SALUFA reserves the right to revise the platform fee structure with a minimum of 30 days' written notice to registered sellers.

9. Cash Sale Confirmation System

For in-person cash-on-inspection transactions, SALUFA operates the following verification process:

  • Upon reserving stock, the buyer receives a unique 6-digit Sale Confirmation Code and a SALUFA Transaction Reference (format: SLF-XXXXX)
  • Reservations remain valid for 24 hours from the time of creation
  • Following physical inspection and cash payment, the buyer provides the confirmation code to the seller
  • The seller enters the code in their Seller Dashboard to confirm the completed sale
  • Upon confirmation, a digital transaction receipt is generated for both parties, containing livestock details, quantity, price, and the SLF-XXXXX reference number
  • The transaction reference serves as permanent, verifiable proof of sale and may be referenced in any dispute submission
  • A 5% platform fee is applied to the seller's account balance upon confirmation
  • SALUFA does not facilitate, hold, or process any cash payments. The code system serves solely as a mechanism to verify that a sale was completed between the parties

10. Platform Limitations

SALUFA is a marketplace platform that connects buyers and sellers of livestock. SALUFA does not physically inspect individual animals and makes no representation regarding the condition or suitability of any livestock listed on the platform. Buyers are solely responsible for:

  • Conducting thorough physical inspections prior to completing any purchase
  • Verifying the accuracy of all listing information
  • Obtaining independent veterinary assessments where considered appropriate

11. Limitation of Liability

SALUFA, operated by Amaqhawe SA Technologies (Pty) Ltd (trading as AMQ Digital), is an online marketplace platform that facilitates connections between buyers and sellers of livestock. SALUFA is not a party to any transaction conducted between buyers and sellers and does not take ownership, possession, or control of any livestock at any time.

11.1 No Custody of Funds

  • For online transactions, all buyer payments are held exclusively by TradeSafe, a licensed South African escrow provider. SALUFA does not hold, receive, or control buyer funds at any stage of the transaction
  • For cash transactions, payment occurs directly between buyer and seller. SALUFA does not facilitate, hold, or process any cash payments
  • Accordingly, SALUFA's ability to effect a refund is limited to instructing TradeSafe to release funds held in escrow. Where funds have already been released to the seller, SALUFA cannot recover or refund those funds on the buyer's behalf

11.2 Scope of Responsibility

SALUFA's responsibility is limited to providing and maintaining the marketplace platform, facilitating dispute resolution, and enforcing platform policies. SALUFA is not responsible for:

  • The actions, omissions, or conduct of buyers or sellers, including failure to deliver livestock after payment has been made
  • The accuracy, completeness, or truthfulness of any listing content provided by sellers
  • The condition, health, or suitability of any livestock offered on the platform
  • Any agreement, contract, or transaction concluded directly between a buyer and a seller, whether conducted on or off the platform
  • Any loss arising from a buyer's failure to inspect livestock before completing a purchase

11.3 Maximum Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable South African law, the total aggregate liability of Amaqhawe SA Technologies (Pty) Ltd (trading as AMQ Digital) and the SALUFA platform arising out of or relating to any single transaction shall not exceed the platform fee collected by SALUFA in respect of that transaction. SALUFA shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profit, loss of livestock, or loss of anticipated savings.

11.4 Dispute Resolution as Best-Endeavours

SALUFA's dispute resolution process represents a best-endeavours administrative review, not a guarantee of financial recovery. Where a dispute is resolved in favour of the buyer, SALUFA will instruct TradeSafe to refund the buyer from funds held in escrow. Where escrow funds have already been released to the seller, or where the transaction was conducted in cash, SALUFA's remedies are limited to issuing strikes against the seller, suspending or terminating the seller's account, and referring the matter to the South African Police Service (SAPS) where appropriate. SALUFA does not guarantee that funds will be recovered from a seller who has breached their obligations.

12. Dispute Resolution

SALUFA operates a structured, rule-based dispute resolution framework. Administrative reviews assess whether platform rules were adhered to — they do not constitute subjective mediation or legal adjudication.

Inspection-Based Dispute Policy: Buyers are required to inspect livestock before completing any purchase. For cash transactions, inspection must occur before cash payment is made. For online transactions, inspection must occur at handover before the buyer confirms receipt. Once a cash payment is made or receipt is confirmed, condition-based complaints (including but not limited to health, appearance, weight, breed characteristics, or age) will not be accepted as valid grounds for a dispute. Buyers acknowledge this policy via the pre-payment inspection confirmation checkbox.

  • Submission Window: Standard disputes must be submitted within 48 hours of transaction confirmation. Late submissions will not be accepted.
  • Dispute Categories: Buyers may raise a dispute under the following categories only: "Seller did not deliver livestock" (paid but no handover occurred) or "Other issue" (admin reviews case-by-case). Condition-based complaints after payment confirmation are not eligible.
  • Evidence: Photographic or documentary evidence may be submitted by either party in support of their position.
  • Possible Outcomes: Refund to Buyer, Release to Seller, Partial Refund, No Action, or Fraud Escalation.

Stolen Livestock Reporting (No Time Limit)

A separate "Report Stolen Livestock" flow is available on every purchase, regardless of how much time has passed since the transaction. This report is not bound by the 48-hour dispute window and may be submitted at any time — including weeks or months after the transaction — if the buyer discovers that the livestock was stolen. Stolen livestock reports trigger an immediate investigation, may result in the seller's account being frozen, and will be referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) where appropriate. False stolen livestock reports are treated as a serious violation and may result in account suspension.

Seller Strike System

  • Strike 1: Formal written warning — all platform features remain active
  • Strike 2: All listings suspended pending administrative review
  • Strike 3: Account frozen — no platform activity permitted; potential referral to SAPS
  • Fraud Escalation: Immediate account suspension and mandatory report to SAPS

A seller's dispute rate (disputes relative to completed sales) is publicly visible on their seller profile. A dispute rate exceeding 2% is flagged as a concern for prospective buyers.

13. Account Termination

SALUFA reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate any account that violates these Terms of Service, accumulates three or more dispute strikes, engages in illegal activity, or fails to comply with applicable animal welfare standards. Serious violations may be reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) or other relevant regulatory authorities.

14. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Any dispute arising from or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the competent courts of South Africa.

15. Contact

Amaqhawe SA Technologies (Pty) Ltd (trading as AMQ Digital)

Operating Company for the SALUFA Platform

Email: support@amqdigital.com

By registering on and using the SALUFA platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by all provisions of these Terms of Service and all applicable South African legislation governing animal welfare, livestock, and commerce.