Terms of Service

CIX Connect is operated by CIX Connect (Pty) Ltd, a company registered in the Republic of South Africa.

These terms apply to all services, products, platforms and solutions supplied by CIX Connect, including:

• Company registration and CIPC-related assistance.
• Beneficial ownership and annual-return assistance.
• SARS registration and tax-compliance assistance.
• VAT, PAYE, UIF, CSD and B-BBEE support.
• Accounting, bookkeeping, payroll and auditing facilitation.
• Website design, development, maintenance and technical support.
• Domain registration, web hosting and cloud infrastructure.
• Business email hosting and email configuration.
• Search engine optimisation and digital marketing.
• Graphic design, branding, company profiles and marketing materials.
• VoIP, PBX, telephone and telecommunications services.
• Remote IT support, networking, cybersecurity and backups.
• Hardware, software, licences and installation services.
• CRM, invoicing, billing and client-management systems.
• Artificial intelligence, automation, chatbots and reporting systems.
• CIX Orbit products, portals, dashboards and digital infrastructure.
• Custom software development and subscription platforms.
• Procurement, tender and business-opportunity support.
• Funding-readiness, funding-facilitation and consulting services.
• Training and other professional business services.

The exact service scope will be determined by the applicable quotation, invoice, package description, proposal, service order or written agreement.

You must be legally capable of entering into a binding agreement to order or use CIX Connect services.

Where services are ordered on behalf of a company, organisation, partnership, trust or other legal entity, the person placing the order confirms that they are authorised to bind that entity.

You are responsible for ensuring that directors, employees, contractors, representatives and users operating under your account comply with these terms.

Quotations are valid for the period stated on the quotation. If no validity period appears, the quotation will normally remain valid for seven calendar days.

Prices may be revised where:

• The client changes the original scope.
• Additional functionality or services are requested.
• Third-party supplier costs increase.
• Exchange rates affect international infrastructure or software.
• Additional licences, users, storage or resources are required.
• The client causes a significant project delay.
• Previously undisclosed technical work becomes necessary.

Work outside the accepted scope may be quoted and invoiced separately. A quotation does not reserve project time, domains, telephone numbers, licences, hosting capacity or supplier resources until the required payment has been received.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, payment is required before work begins, products are ordered, accounts are activated or services are delivered.

Clients must use the correct invoice number, quotation number, account number or business name as the payment reference.

Services will generally be activated only after payment has cleared and has been verified. CIX Connect is not responsible for delays caused by:

• Incorrect or missing payment references.
• Bank-processing delays.
• Reversed, disputed or incomplete payments.
• Payments sent to an incorrect account.
• Fraudulent or altered proof of payment.
• Delayed third-party payment confirmation.

Where a deposit is accepted, the remaining balance must be paid according to the agreed payment schedule.

Certain services are supplied on a monthly, annual, fixed-term, prepaid or usage-based basis.

Recurring services may include:

• Website and cloud hosting.
• Business email hosting.
• Domain registration and renewal.
• VoIP, PBX and telephone services.
• Software and security licences.
• Maintenance and support plans.
• AI platforms and CIX Orbit systems.
• CRM, billing, portal and dashboard services.

Subscription fees must be paid before the applicable renewal date. Clients remain responsible for monitoring renewal dates and keeping billing and contact details accurate.

CIX Connect may send renewal notices as a courtesy. Failure to receive a reminder does not remove the client’s responsibility to renew on time.

Late or unpaid services may be restricted, suspended, disconnected, downgraded, deleted, returned to a supplier or released for registration or allocation to another party.

The client must provide accurate, complete, current and lawful information required to deliver the service.

This may include:

• Identity, company and director information.
• CIPC, SARS, CSD and compliance records.
• Proof of address and billing information.
• Domain, hosting, email and system credentials.
• Website text, images, branding and service descriptions.
• Technical access, telephone information and approvals.
• Budgets, deadlines and project requirements.

The client must check information before it is submitted to government departments, banks, registrars, networks, suppliers, customers or the public.

CIX Connect is not responsible for delays, rejections, penalties or losses caused by inaccurate, incomplete, misleading or outdated information supplied by the client.

Clients must review drafts, documents, designs, websites, configurations, software and other deliverables before final approval.

Approval may be given by email, WhatsApp, client portal, signed documentation, payment of a final invoice or continued use of the completed deliverable.

The client must check:

• Names, spelling and contact details.
• Prices, products and service descriptions.
• Banking, registration and tax information.
• Legal wording, images, logos and website links.
• Email addresses, telephone numbers and user permissions.
• Reports, calculations and system configurations.

Once approved, later changes may be treated as additional work.

Website packages are limited to the pages, features, storage, revisions and functionality described in the accepted quotation or package.

The client must supply required content unless content creation is expressly included.

CIX Connect may use licensed stock, AI-generated, temporary or placeholder content during development. The client must approve or replace such content before publication.

Websites may depend on WordPress, plugins, themes, APIs, payment gateways, search engines, analytics tools, hosting platforms and other third-party systems.

Changes introduced by third parties may require paid maintenance, redevelopment, upgrades or migration.

Domain registration is subject to availability and the policies of the applicable registry or registrar.

Payment does not guarantee registration until the registrar or registry confirms that registration has been completed.

Failure to renew a domain may result in:

• Website and email interruption.
• Redemption or recovery fees.
• Permanent loss of the domain.
• Registration by another person or organisation.
• Loss of associated digital assets and brand identity.

Domain registration and renewal charges are generally non-refundable after submission to the registrar.

Hosting services are subject to fair use, available infrastructure capacity and the technical limits of the selected package.

Hosting and email services may not be used for:

• Spam, phishing, fraud or abusive bulk messaging.
• Malware, botnets, hacking or network attacks.
• Copyright infringement or illegal downloads.
• Unlicensed software or malicious code distribution.
• Cryptocurrency mining.
• Unlawful, abusive or harmful material.
• Any activity that damages server or domain reputation.

CIX Connect may suspend an account immediately where it creates a security, legal, operational or reputational risk.

Email delivery depends on external networks, servers, filters, reputation systems and recipient policies.

CIX Connect does not guarantee that every email will be:

• Delivered or received.
• Opened or accepted.
• Available without interruption.
• Free from spam filtering.

Mailbox, attachment, storage, retention and sending limits may apply. Accounts that generate spam complaints, supplier penalties, excessive traffic or security incidents may be restricted.

VoIP services depend on internet connectivity, electricity, network coverage, compatible equipment and third-party infrastructure.

Quality and availability may be affected by:

• Internet speed and network congestion.
• Power failures and load shedding.
• Router, firewall or equipment configuration.
• Mobile coverage and international routing.
• Supplier maintenance or infrastructure outages.

VoIP should not be used as the client’s only emergency communication method. Emergency services, call recording, number portability and location services may be subject to supplier or regulatory limitations.

CIX Connect may use remote-support software to diagnose, configure or repair client systems.

Before support begins, the client should:

• Save open work and back up important files.
• Close sensitive or confidential documents.
• Disclose known system problems.
• Confirm that they are authorised to grant access.
• Identify any regulated or sensitive environment.

Technical work carries inherent risks, including data loss, software conflict, corrupted systems, hardware failure and downtime.

CIX Connect is not responsible for pre-existing faults, unsupported software, pirated applications, failing equipment, existing malware or unbacked-up data.

Hardware and third-party software are subject to stock availability, supplier warranty terms and licence conditions.

Clients may not request or use:

• Pirated or cracked software.
• Stolen or unauthorised activation keys.
• Bypassed security systems.
• Unlawful access tools.
• Software that violates the owner’s licence.

Warranty claims may require proof of purchase, inspection, serial numbers and return of the affected equipment. Physical damage, unauthorised repairs, liquid damage, power surges and misuse may void a warranty.

CIX Connect may provide AI-generated content, chatbots, reports, classifications, summaries, forecasts, recommendations and automated workflows.

AI output may contain:

• Errors, omissions or incorrect assumptions.
• Incomplete or outdated information.
• Unintended bias.
• Inaccurate calculations.
• Fabricated or unreliable references.

The client remains responsible for decisions made from AI output. Third-party AI providers may impose their own limits, policies, controls and charges.

Software and client portals may be supplied through subscriptions, limited licences, custom agreements or hosted access.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise, the client receives a limited, revocable, non-exclusive and non-transferable right to use the software for its intended business purpose.

The client may not:

• Resell software or access without permission.
• Copy, reverse engineer or reproduce source code.
• Remove branding, licences or security controls.
• Share accounts unlawfully.
• Bypass subscriptions or usage restrictions.
• Extract protected databases.
• Attempt unauthorised access.

Source code is not included unless explicitly stated in writing.

Search engine optimisation and digital marketing are influenced by competition, changing algorithms, third-party platform rules, website quality and market behaviour.

CIX Connect does not guarantee:

• A number-one Google or search-engine ranking.
• A specific number of visitors, leads or sales.
• Permanent search visibility.
• Social-media growth or customer conversions.
• Approval by an advertising platform.
• Tender awards or procurement success.

SEO typically requires consistent technical maintenance, useful content, authority development and time.

CIX Connect assists with administrative preparation, guidance, submission and support. Final approval remains with the relevant authority, regulator, bank, supplier or institution.

Relevant institutions may include:

• CIPC and SARS.
• CSD and labour-related institutions.
• B-BBEE service providers.
• Banks, municipalities and funding institutions.
• Industry regulators and government departments.

CIX Connect cannot guarantee approvals, tax outcomes, government processing times, funding, bank accounts, tender eligibility or compliance clearance.

Accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, tax and compliance assistance is based on information provided by the client.

The client must retain original source documents and review reports, classifications and submissions.

Unless expressly confirmed in writing, CIX Connect does not act as the client’s auditor, attorney, financial adviser, tax practitioner or statutory representative.

Regulated work may be performed or reviewed by an appropriately qualified third-party professional.

CIX Connect may assist with business documentation, funding readiness, applications, introductions, referrals and financial information preparation.

CIX Connect is not a bank and does not guarantee funding approval. Every application remains subject to the affordability, risk, credit and eligibility criteria of the funding provider.

Fees paid for consulting, documentation, application preparation or facilitation relate to work performed and not to a guaranteed funding outcome.

Procurement opportunities may originate from public websites, clients, third-party databases, partners or automated systems.

Clients must independently verify:

• Closing dates and compulsory briefings.
• Eligibility and bid requirements.
• Contact information and contracting authorities.
• Submission instructions and bid documents.
• Pricing requirements and authenticity.

CIX Connect does not guarantee qualification, successful submission, contract awards or tender outcomes.

Design packages are limited to the concepts, pages, formats and revisions described in the accepted package or quotation.

A revision is a reasonable change to an existing concept. A new creative direction may be treated as additional work.

The client must ensure that names, slogans, images, logos and supplied branding assets do not infringe third-party rights.

Editable source files are included only where expressly stated. Completed public work may be displayed in the CIX Connect portfolio unless written confidentiality has been agreed.

CIX Connect retains ownership of its:

• Software, source code and frameworks.
• Templates, systems and internal tools.
• Automation logic and prompt structures.
• Methods, databases and proprietary processes.
• Documentation and training materials.
• Pre-existing intellectual property.

After full payment, the client may receive the rights to use the final deliverable as described in the applicable agreement.

Unpaid drafts, designs, systems, websites and documents remain the property of CIX Connect. Third-party components remain governed by their respective licences.

Clients may not use CIX Connect services to:

• Commit fraud or impersonate another person.
• Harass, threaten, exploit or unlawfully discriminate.
• Violate intellectual-property or privacy rights.
• Distribute malware, spam or phishing material.
• Access systems without permission.
• Sell illegal products or distribute prohibited content.
• Interfere with infrastructure or security controls.
• Damage CIX Connect’s systems, suppliers or reputation.
• Violate South African law.

CIX Connect may investigate suspected abuse and cooperate with lawful requests from competent authorities.

Clients are responsible for protecting usernames, passwords, recovery details, API keys and authentication codes.

CIX Connect must be notified immediately after suspected unauthorised access is discovered.

CIX Connect is not responsible for losses caused by:

• Weak, reused or shared passwords.
• Phishing or compromised devices.
• Unauthorised staff or former employees.
• Client-side malware.
• Failure to use available security controls.

CIX Connect may reset credentials, suspend access or require additional verification where suspicious activity is detected.

CIX Connect processes personal information in accordance with applicable South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act.

Personal information may be processed to:

• Deliver, activate and maintain services.
• Verify identity and prevent fraud.
• Process payments and provide support.
• Communicate with clients.
• Protect infrastructure and comply with the law.
• Improve products and services.

Information may be shared with registrars, hosting providers, telecom networks, payment providers, government bodies, software vendors, AI providers and professional partners where necessary to deliver the requested service.

CIX Connect services may depend on domain registrars, data centres, cloud providers, telecom networks, software vendors, AI providers, payment providers, government departments, search engines and social platforms.

CIX Connect is not responsible for price increases, policy changes, downtime, rejection, service termination, data loss or security incidents caused by a third party outside CIX Connect’s reasonable control.

Clients may also be required to accept the terms and policies of the relevant third-party provider.

CIX Connect aims to provide reliable services but does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free availability.

Service interruptions may occur because of:

• Planned or emergency maintenance.
• Security updates and infrastructure upgrades.
• Power, supplier or network failures.
• Cyberattacks or equipment failure.
• Government action or force majeure events.

Planned maintenance will be communicated in advance where reasonably practical.

Support is supplied according to the client’s package, subscription or written support agreement.

Standard support does not automatically include:

• New features or redesigns.
• Content creation or data entry.
• Training or on-site visits.
• After-hours work.
• Recovery from client mistakes.
• Malware removal or third-party repairs.
• Major software upgrades.
• Work outside the original scope.

Additional work may be quoted separately.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. Cancellation does not automatically create a right to a refund.

Where work has begun, CIX Connect may retain fees reasonably related to:

• Work completed and project time reserved.
• Domains, products or resources purchased.
• Licences and subscriptions activated.
• Government and supplier charges.
• Administration and custom work.
• Non-recoverable expenses.

Recurring services must be cancelled before the next renewal date. Failure to use a service does not automatically cancel it.

Refund requests will be assessed according to South African law, the nature of the service, the work performed and third-party costs already incurred.

The following are generally non-refundable after processing, activation or delivery:

• Domain registrations and renewals.
• Software licences and telephone numbers.
• Hosting activation and supplier charges.
• Government or third-party fees.
• Completed consulting or design work.
• Completed submissions and custom development.
• Digital products already delivered.

Where a refund is approved, reasonable deductions may be made for completed work and non-recoverable expenses.

Nothing in these terms removes any consumer right that cannot lawfully be excluded under South African law.

CIX Connect may restrict, suspend or terminate a service where:

• Payment is overdue.
• The client breaches these terms.
• Fraud or unlawful activity is suspected.
• False information is supplied.
• Systems, suppliers or users are placed at risk.
• Abuse complaints are received.
• CIX Connect is required to act by law.

Immediate suspension may occur where necessary to protect systems, users, suppliers, the public or CIX Connect.

Termination does not remove the client’s obligation to pay outstanding amounts.

After termination or expiry, access to websites, email, systems, reports, portals and stored information may be restricted or deleted.

Clients must export or back up required information before cancellation or expiry.

CIX Connect is not required to retain service data indefinitely after the service ends. Data recovery may not be possible and may attract additional fees.

Legal, billing, audit and security records may be retained where permitted or required by law.

CIX Connect will perform its services with reasonable care and skill.

Except where prohibited by law, CIX Connect does not guarantee that every service will always be:

• Uninterrupted or error-free.
• Completely secure.
• Compatible with every system.
• Suitable for every purpose.
• Accepted by every authority.
• Profitable or commercially successful.
• Free from third-party disruption.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, CIX Connect will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, including:

• Loss of profit, revenue or business.
• Loss of opportunities, goodwill or data.
• Loss caused by downtime.
• Loss caused by third-party providers.
• Loss caused by rejected applications.
• Loss caused by cybercrime or client negligence.

Where liability cannot lawfully be excluded, CIX Connect’s total liability will generally be limited to the amount paid for the specific affected service during the relevant service period.

The client agrees to indemnify CIX Connect against claims, losses, penalties, damages and reasonable legal costs resulting from:

• Unlawful client content.
• Incorrect or misleading client information.
• Client misuse of a service.
• Infringement caused by client-supplied materials.
• Client violations of law or third-party terms.
• Instructions issued without proper authority.

CIX Connect is not responsible for delays or failures caused by events beyond its reasonable control.

These may include:

• Natural disasters, fire or flooding.
• Civil unrest, war or government restrictions.
• Industrial action.
• Power outages and load shedding.
• Network, data-centre or supplier failures.
• Cyberattacks, epidemics or infrastructure failure.

Affected obligations may be suspended for the duration of the event where reasonably necessary.

CIX Connect may communicate through:

• Email, telephone, WhatsApp or SMS.
• Client portals and support systems.
• Website notices, invoices and statements.

Clients must keep contact details current. Messages sent to the most recent contact information supplied by the client will be treated as valid communication.

The client agrees that electronic actions may create a binding agreement.

These actions may include:

• Clicking an acceptance or order button.
• Submitting an online request.
• Making payment.
• Accepting a quotation.
• Sending written approval by email or WhatsApp.
• Registering or activating an account.
• Continuing to use a service after receiving updated terms.

CIX Connect may update these terms to reflect legal, operational, supplier, security, pricing, service or technology changes.

The latest version will be published on the CIX Connect website with a revised update date.

Continued use after revised terms become effective constitutes acceptance of those terms. Material changes affecting an active paid service may also be communicated directly where reasonably practical.

If any provision of these terms is declared invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to operate.

The affected provision will be adjusted only to the minimum extent required to make it lawful and enforceable.

A delay or failure by CIX Connect to enforce a term does not waive the right to enforce that term later.

Any waiver must be confirmed in writing by an authorised representative of CIX Connect.

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Disputes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the appropriate South African court or dispute-resolution forum.

Before formal proceedings begin, the parties should attempt to resolve the matter through written communication and good-faith negotiation.

Questions, complaints, cancellation requests and legal notices relating to these Terms of Service may be sent to CIX Connect.