General Terms and Conditions

Legal Information

Effective date: 23 July 2026
Last updated: 23 July 2026

These General Terms and Conditions apply to services and products supplied by Vindouro Investments (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2016/094871/07, VAT number 436 0292 454, trading as Utilitarian Support Solutions. Vindouro Investments (Pty) Ltd trading as Utilitarian Support Solutions is referred to in these terms as “USS”, “we”, “us” or “our”. The person or organisation receiving services or products from USS is referred to as the “Customer”, “you” or “your”.

These terms are intended to create a clear general legal framework for our relationship. They must be read together with the Customer’s signed agreement, selected service schedule, accepted quotation, statement of work, project scope, written authorisation and any applicable third-party licence or service terms.


General Terms and Conditions

1. Application of these terms

These General Terms and Conditions apply to all quotations, projects, subscriptions, managed services, support-on-demand services, products and other services supplied by USS.

They must be read together with any applicable:

  • signed Customer Agreement;
  • service-selection schedule;
  • data-processing, remote-access or other written authorisation;
  • quotation or proposal;
  • statement of work or project scope;
  • accepted order or invoice;
  • written variation; and
  • third-party licence or service terms.

By signing an agreement, accepting a quotation, authorising work, purchasing a product, paying an invoice, requesting continued services or permitting USS to perform services, the Customer agrees to these terms.

If documents conflict, the following order of precedence applies unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing:

  1. a signed Customer Agreement or written variation;
  2. a signed service-selection schedule or statement of work;
  3. an accepted quotation or approved project scope;
  4. these General Terms and Conditions; and
  5. any other operational communication.

Third-party licence and service terms apply specifically to the relevant third-party product or service.

2. Authority to act

The person accepting a quotation, requesting work, approving access or signing an agreement warrants that they are authorised to act for the Customer.

USS may rely on instructions received from:

  • the Customer’s owners, directors or members;
  • an authorised representative nominated by the Customer;
  • an authorised employee acting within their apparent responsibilities; or
  • another person whom USS reasonably believes is authorised.

The Customer must promptly notify USS in writing when an authorised person leaves, changes role or is no longer permitted to issue instructions. USS may delay or refuse an instruction where authority is unclear, disputed or creates a security, legal or operational risk.

3. Scope of services

USS will provide only the services described in the applicable agreement, quotation, service schedule, project scope or written instruction.

No service should be assumed to be included merely because USS:

  • has previously assisted with a similar matter;
  • has administrator access;
  • is aware of a system;
  • has installed monitoring software;
  • supplies another service to the Customer;
  • receives alerts from a device or platform; or
  • has access to the Customer’s network or records.

Work outside the agreed scope may be quoted separately or billed at USS’s prevailing rates. Recommendations, estimates, expected completion dates and anticipated outcomes are provided in good faith, but are not guarantees unless expressly described as guaranteed in a signed written agreement.

4. Managed services

Managed services include only the services and systems expressly selected in the Customer’s agreement or service schedule.

Depending on the services selected, managed services may include:

  • remote user support;
  • workstation and server support;
  • operating-system and application maintenance;
  • remote monitoring and management;
  • security software and security administration;
  • asset visibility and ticket management;
  • Microsoft 365 or cloud-platform administration;
  • network oversight;
  • vendor coordination;
  • backup monitoring; and
  • other specifically listed services.

Managed services do not automatically include:

  • onsite attendance;
  • project work or new installations;
  • equipment, parts or structured cabling;
  • data recovery or disaster recovery;
  • major upgrades or migrations;
  • support for unsupported or end-of-life systems;
  • training;
  • remediation of pre-existing faults;
  • third-party licence charges;
  • after-hours work;
  • specialist vendor work; or
  • services not expressly selected.

Response and resolution targets apply only where recorded in a signed agreement. A response target is not a guarantee that an issue will be resolved within the same period.

5. Support-on-demand and ad-hoc services

Support-on-demand or ad-hoc services are reactive services provided when requested by the Customer. Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing:

  • requests are handled according to availability and operational priority;
  • no guaranteed response or resolution time applies;
  • USS does not continuously maintain or monitor the Customer’s entire environment;
  • USS is not responsible for identifying every fault, risk or required update;
  • time spent investigating an issue is billable even where the issue cannot be resolved;
  • remote, workshop, call-out, travel and onsite charges may apply separately; and
  • work is billed at the prevailing rates applicable when it is performed.

A support request must ordinarily be logged through USS’s approved support channel so that it can be recorded, allocated and tracked.

6. Remote monitoring and management tools

Where reasonably required to provide support, USS may install and operate approved remote monitoring and management, remote-access, security, asset-management, ticketing and supporting software on systems used by the Customer.

These tools may be used for purposes including:

  • receiving and managing support requests;
  • providing authorised remote assistance;
  • identifying device specifications and system health;
  • recording hardware and software inventory;
  • monitoring security and operational alerts;
  • applying approved scripts, policies and updates;
  • managing supported security software;
  • maintaining an audit trail of support activity;
  • diagnosing performance, storage and reliability concerns; and
  • improving the efficiency and consistency of support.

Installation of a tool does not mean that every alert, device or risk is actively monitored unless monitoring is included in the Customer’s selected service. The Customer authorises USS to process the technical and operational information reasonably required to provide these services.

The Customer must not disable, remove, interfere with or circumvent an authorised USS tool without first notifying USS.

Where the Customer disputes or withdraws USS’s authority to retain remote access, USS may suspend access and arrange removal of the relevant tools. This does not constitute an admission that their original installation or use was unauthorised. Certain tools may require a restart, internet connection or other technical action before removal is completed.

7. Support requests and ticketing

Support requests should be submitted through USS’s approved email, portal, telephone or emergency-support channel. A request is considered received when it has been recorded in USS’s support system.

Messages sent through informal or personal communication channels may not be treated as logged support requests.

The Customer must provide sufficient information for USS to investigate the matter, including, where relevant:

  • the affected user, device or system;
  • the symptoms and any error messages;
  • the urgency and business impact;
  • recent changes; and
  • relevant screenshots or supporting information.

USS may prioritise incidents according to security risk, operational impact, available resources and contractual service level. A matter described as urgent by the Customer does not automatically qualify as an emergency or receive priority service.

8. Onsite work and call-outs

Onsite work, travel and call-outs are billed separately unless expressly included in a signed agreement or quotation.

A call-out charge may apply in addition to labour, travel, accommodation, parking, tolls, materials and other expenses.

Where USS attends a site but cannot complete the work because of circumstances outside its control, the applicable call-out, travel and labour charges remain payable. Such circumstances may include unavailable access, absent authorised personnel, unsafe conditions, power or connectivity failures, unavailable equipment, incorrect information, third-party delays or the Customer’s failure to complete required preparation.

9. Projects and change requests

Project work is governed by the approved quotation, scope or statement of work. Unless expressly included, a project quotation does not include:

  • hidden or concealed site conditions;
  • electrical work or building alterations;
  • asbestos or hazardous-material work;
  • specialist compliance certification;
  • work by third-party vendors;
  • repairs to undocumented systems;
  • additional cabling routes;
  • after-hours work;
  • delays caused by the Customer or another supplier; or
  • changes requested after approval.

Changes to the scope, quantity, design, schedule or assumptions may result in revised pricing and delivery dates. USS may pause work until a change is approved.

Estimated completion dates depend on stock availability, supplier lead times, site readiness, access, approvals and other dependencies. USS is not responsible for delays outside its reasonable control.

10. Quotations, estimates and pricing

Unless stated otherwise:

  • quotations are valid for the period stated on the quotation;
  • pricing is based on the scope and information available at the time;
  • estimates are not fixed quotations;
  • prices exclude additional work and unforeseen requirements;
  • VAT is charged where applicable;
  • supplier pricing, exchange rates and shipping costs may change before an order is placed; and
  • pricing errors may be corrected before acceptance or fulfilment.

Where supplier pricing changes after acceptance but before USS has placed or secured the order, USS may issue a revised quotation.

At its discretion and on reasonable notice, USS may adjust recurring charges to account for supplier increases, exchange-rate changes, annual price reviews, changes in licence terms, increased regulatory or operating costs, changes in the number of users, devices, locations or systems, or changes in the Customer’s service requirements.

11. Orders, deposits and cancellations

USS may require a deposit or full payment before ordering equipment, allocating project resources or starting work. An order becomes binding once it has been accepted by USS and any required deposit has been received.

The Customer may be responsible for cancellation, supplier, shipping, administration and restocking charges where an approved order is cancelled.

Special-order, configured, licensed, registered, personalised, downloaded or opened products may not be returnable or refundable.

Deposits may be applied to equipment already ordered, supplier commitments, work already performed, reserved project time, cancellation costs and other amounts properly due.

12. Invoices and payment

Recurring services are ordinarily invoiced monthly in advance. Payment is due as stated on the applicable invoice, quotation or agreement.

Projects, hardware, licences and other work may be invoiced:

  • in advance;
  • on delivery;
  • according to milestones;
  • as work progresses; or
  • on completion.

The Customer must raise a genuine invoice dispute in writing within seven calendar days of receiving the invoice and must identify the specific amount and reason disputed. The undisputed portion remains payable.

The Customer may not withhold or set off payment because of an unrelated complaint, claim or dispute. Amounts paid are allocated to the oldest outstanding debt unless USS determines otherwise.

13. Late payment and suspension

Where an account is overdue, USS may:

  • charge interest at a lawful rate where permitted and properly agreed;
  • suspend some or all services;
  • withhold delivery of equipment or work;
  • disable Customer access to USS-managed services where legally and technically permissible;
  • decline further support;
  • require payment in advance;
  • recover reasonable collection costs; and
  • terminate the relationship in accordance with the applicable agreement.

Suspension does not cancel recurring fees, third-party commitments or amounts already incurred. USS is not liable for loss, interruption or damage resulting from a lawful suspension caused by the Customer’s non-payment.

The Customer is responsible for reasonable legal and debt-collection costs incurred in recovering overdue amounts, to the extent permitted by law.

14. After-hours and emergency services

After-hours, weekend, public-holiday and emergency work may be subject to higher rates, minimum charges and availability limitations. The applicable rate may be stated in a quotation, rate card, invoice or Customer Agreement.

USS may determine whether a request qualifies for emergency handling based on the operational impact, security risk, available resources and the Customer’s service arrangement.

15. Third-party products and services

USS may resell, administer, recommend, integrate or support products and services supplied by third parties. These may include:

  • software licences;
  • cloud services;
  • connectivity;
  • hosting and domains;
  • security and backup platforms;
  • hardware;
  • vendor support; and
  • subscription services.

Third-party products and services remain subject to their providers’ terms, licensing rules, service availability, data-processing arrangements, warranties and usage restrictions. The Customer agrees to comply with applicable third-party terms.

USS does not control and cannot guarantee:

  • third-party uptime or supplier response times;
  • product availability or continued support;
  • future compatibility;
  • supplier pricing;
  • changes to features or licence conditions;
  • international data-hosting locations; or
  • the continued availability of a product or service.

Where a third-party subscription is non-cancellable, committed for a fixed term or billed in advance, the Customer remains liable for the applicable charges even if the Customer stops using the service or terminates its relationship with USS.

16. Hardware and ownership

Ownership of equipment supplied by USS remains with USS until all amounts relating to the equipment have been paid in full. Risk in equipment passes to the Customer on delivery to the Customer, its representative, site or nominated carrier.

The Customer must keep unpaid equipment identifiable, protected and insured. USS may recover unpaid equipment where legally permitted, without waiving its right to recover additional amounts due.

17. Product warranties and returns

Hardware is generally covered by the relevant manufacturer or distributor warranty, subject to their terms. USS does not provide a warranty broader than the warranty made available by the applicable manufacturer or distributor unless expressly agreed in writing.

Warranty cover may exclude:

  • accidental or physical damage;
  • liquid damage;
  • power surges or lightning;
  • misuse or neglect;
  • unauthorised alterations;
  • incorrect environmental conditions;
  • consumable items;
  • data loss;
  • software faults; and
  • damage caused by other equipment.

Labour, travel, call-out, configuration, data-transfer and courier charges may remain payable even where a product is repaired or replaced under a supplier warranty. Returns require prior approval and are subject to the supplier’s return and restocking rules.

18. Customer responsibilities

The Customer must:

  • provide accurate and complete information;
  • nominate suitable authorised contacts;
  • provide timely access to systems, premises and personnel;
  • maintain safe working conditions;
  • maintain suitable power, surge protection, cooling, connectivity and physical security;
  • protect passwords, credentials and multi-factor authentication methods;
  • notify USS promptly of staff and authority changes;
  • notify USS of suspected fraud, compromise, malware or unauthorised access;
  • use properly licensed and supported software;
  • retain required records and licences;
  • identify all critical systems and data;
  • review and approve recommendations;
  • make timely decisions and approvals;
  • maintain appropriate insurance;
  • comply with applicable law and vendor requirements; and
  • avoid unauthorised changes that may affect supported systems.

The Customer remains responsible for its business decisions, legal compliance, operational processes and use of its technology.

19. Administrator credentials and privileged access

USS may create, store or use administrator credentials where reasonably required to provide services. Credentials may be stored in USS’s approved secure credential-management platform.

The Customer must nominate the persons authorised to receive privileged credentials. USS may decline to transmit privileged credentials through an insecure or unverified channel.

Where credentials must be handed over, USS may:

  • verify the recipient’s authority;
  • issue a new temporary password;
  • send the username and password through separate channels;
  • require the recipient to change the password;
  • revoke USS-specific accounts; and
  • retain evidence of the handover.

The Customer is responsible for securing credentials after handover.

20. Software licensing and unlawful use

The Customer warrants that it owns or is properly licensed to use all software, content and systems made available to USS.

USS will not knowingly install, activate, copy or support pirated, unlawfully obtained or improperly licensed software. USS may refuse or suspend work where licensing is unclear.

USS may terminate services where unlawful software or activity creates a legal, security or operational risk. The Customer is responsible for claims, penalties, losses and remediation costs arising from its unlawful or unlicensed software, except to the extent caused by USS.

21. Backups and recovery services

Backup services apply only where expressly selected and recorded. USS is not responsible for maintaining backups merely because it provides support, monitoring, server administration or access to the Customer’s systems.

The Customer must identify:

  • the devices and systems requiring backup;
  • the data to be protected;
  • required retention periods;
  • acceptable recovery points and recovery times;
  • legal or industry-specific retention requirements; and
  • any systems that must remain excluded.

Unless expressly included, backup services do not automatically cover every:

  • workstation or server;
  • database;
  • diagnostic system or capture computer;
  • cloud account or mailbox;
  • mobile device;
  • network appliance;
  • application;
  • archive; or
  • external drive.

A successful backup status does not guarantee that every file is complete, usable or recoverable. Restoration may be affected by damaged or corrupt source data, application inconsistency, encryption, unavailable credentials, unsupported software, hardware failure, retention expiry, connectivity, third-party platform limitations or incomplete data selection.

USS may perform reasonable monitoring and testing where included, but no backup system eliminates all risk of data loss. The Customer remains responsible for reviewing whether the selected backup scope and retention remain appropriate. Restoration, disaster recovery and data-recovery work may be billed separately unless expressly included.

22. Cybersecurity

USS will apply reasonable security measures within the scope of the services selected by the Customer. No security product, monitoring service or technical control can guarantee that:

  • every attack will be prevented;
  • all malware will be detected;
  • credentials will never be compromised;
  • users will not be deceived;
  • vulnerabilities will not exist; or
  • systems will remain continuously available.

The Customer must implement reasonable organisational safeguards, including:

  • suitable access control;
  • staff awareness;
  • multi-factor authentication where available;
  • secure approval processes;
  • verification of payment-detail changes;
  • prompt staff offboarding;
  • physical security;
  • appropriate insurance; and
  • timely approval of security recommendations.

USS is not responsible for a security incident caused or materially worsened by the Customer’s failure to follow a material written security recommendation. Security incidents, investigations, containment, recovery and reporting may fall outside ordinary support scope and may be billed separately.

23. Confidentiality

Each party must keep the other party’s confidential information secure and use it only for the purposes of the business relationship.

Confidential information may include:

  • credentials and configurations;
  • customer and patient information;
  • commercial information;
  • system documentation;
  • security information;
  • pricing;
  • intellectual property; and
  • business records.

Confidentiality obligations do not apply to information that:

  • is lawfully public;
  • was already lawfully known;
  • is lawfully received from another source;
  • is independently developed; or
  • must be disclosed by law or lawful authority.

USS may share information with employees, contractors and service providers who require it to perform the services and who are subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations.

24. Personal information and POPIA roles

USS processes personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”), where applicable.

Where USS collects and uses information for its own business purposes, including customer administration, invoicing, security and support management, USS acts as a responsible party as contemplated in POPIA.

Where USS processes personal information solely on the Customer’s instructions while providing services, USS may act as an operator for the Customer.

Where the Customer is the responsible party, the Customer remains responsible for:

  • establishing a lawful basis for processing;
  • providing required notices;
  • dealing with data-subject requests;
  • determining retention requirements;
  • authorising USS’s processing;
  • identifying special personal information;
  • obtaining required consents or approvals; and
  • complying with its regulatory obligations.

USS will process Customer-controlled personal information:

  • with the Customer’s knowledge or authorisation;
  • for the proper performance of the services;
  • subject to confidentiality obligations; and
  • using reasonable technical and organisational safeguards.

The parties may enter into a separate operator or data-processing agreement where required.

25. Security compromises

A party that becomes aware of a suspected personal-information compromise affecting the other party must notify the other party without unreasonable delay and provide the information reasonably available to it.

Where USS acts as an operator, USS will notify the responsible Customer when there are reasonable grounds to believe that personal information processed for that Customer has been accessed or acquired by an unauthorised person.

The Customer, as responsible party, remains responsible for determining and completing any required notification to affected data subjects, regulators or other authorities, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Assistance with investigations, evidence collection, notifications, legal enquiries and remediation may be billed separately unless included in the Customer’s selected service.

26. End-of-life and unsupported systems

USS may decline to support systems that are:

  • no longer supported by their vendor;
  • unsafe;
  • unlawfully licensed;
  • excessively unreliable;
  • incompatible with current security requirements;
  • undocumented;
  • modified without authorisation; or
  • unsuitable for continued business use.

Where USS agrees to assist with an unsupported or end-of-life system:

  • the work is performed on a reasonable-effort basis;
  • outcomes cannot be guaranteed;
  • suitable vendor tools or replacement parts may not be available;
  • the system may fail during diagnosis or repair; and
  • the Customer accepts the increased risk after being informed of it.

USS may require the Customer to approve replacement, isolation, migration or other remediation before further support is provided.

27. Medical and diagnostic systems

USS provides ICT support and does not provide medical advice, clinical interpretation or medical-device repair unless expressly authorised, qualified and contracted to do so.

Support involving medical or diagnostic environments may be limited to areas such as:

  • computers and networks;
  • storage and databases;
  • interfaces and operating systems;
  • vendor coordination;
  • backup processes;
  • software connectivity; and
  • general ICT infrastructure.

The medical practitioner, healthcare provider, device supplier or authorised service organisation remains responsible for clinical use, diagnostic interpretation, device calibration, regulated servicing, patient-care decisions, medical-device compliance and determining whether equipment is safe for clinical use.

USS may decline any work that could constitute regulated medical-device servicing or create an unacceptable safety or compliance risk.

28. Service limitations and exclusions

Unless expressly guaranteed in writing, USS does not guarantee:

  • uninterrupted operation;
  • uninterrupted internet, electricity or cloud services;
  • prevention of every security incident;
  • recovery of every file;
  • successful repair of corrupted data;
  • compatibility with unsupported systems;
  • continued availability of vendor software;
  • successful integration between all third-party products;
  • a particular commercial or clinical outcome; or
  • resolution without replacement, upgrade or vendor involvement.

USS may rely on information provided by the Customer and is not responsible for consequences arising from materially incorrect, incomplete or withheld information.

29. Customer decisions and rejected recommendations

USS may provide recommendations relating to security, backup, replacement, licensing, capacity, compliance or system design. The Customer remains responsible for deciding whether to accept those recommendations.

Where the Customer rejects, delays or fails to approve a material recommendation, USS is not responsible for loss or failure that would probably have been avoided or reduced had the recommendation been implemented.

USS may require written acknowledgement of a declined recommendation and may suspend or limit support where the resulting risk is unreasonable.

30. Limitation of liability

Nothing in these terms excludes or limits a right or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

Subject to applicable law, USS is not liable for indirect, special or consequential loss, including loss of profit, revenue, opportunity, goodwill, anticipated savings, productivity or business interruption.

USS is not liable for loss caused by:

  • third-party products or services;
  • supplier outages;
  • internet or electricity failure;
  • cybercrime not caused by USS’s failure to exercise reasonable care;
  • the Customer’s acts or omissions;
  • rejected recommendations;
  • unsupported systems;
  • unlawful software;
  • force majeure;
  • incomplete or corrupt source data; or
  • circumstances outside USS’s reasonable control.

Where USS is legally liable, USS’s total aggregate liability arising from a particular event or related series of events will, to the extent permitted by law, be limited to the fees paid by the Customer to USS for the directly affected service during the three months preceding the event.

This limitation does not apply where the law prohibits such a limitation.

31. Indemnity

To the extent permitted by law, the Customer indemnifies USS against third-party claims, losses and reasonable costs arising from:

  • the Customer’s unlawful conduct;
  • unlicensed software;
  • content or data supplied by the Customer;
  • infringement caused by Customer-provided material;
  • instructions issued without proper authority;
  • misuse of products or services;
  • failure to comply with applicable law; or
  • the Customer’s breach of these terms.

This indemnity does not apply to the extent that the claim was caused by USS’s unlawful conduct, gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

32. Force majeure

Neither party is liable for delay or failure caused by circumstances beyond its reasonable control. These may include:

  • natural disasters, fire, flood or severe weather;
  • civil unrest, war or terrorism;
  • an epidemic or pandemic;
  • labour disruption;
  • electricity, internet or telecommunications failure;
  • supplier failure;
  • government action;
  • transport disruption;
  • cyberattacks of exceptional scale; or
  • widespread cloud-platform failure.

The affected party must take reasonable steps to reduce the impact and resume performance. Payment remains due for products already supplied, work already performed and unavoidable third-party commitments.

33. Suspension and termination

Either party may terminate the relationship in accordance with the applicable Customer Agreement or, where no specific agreement exists, on one calendar month’s written notice.

USS may suspend or terminate services immediately where:

  • the Customer fails to pay;
  • continued access or authority is disputed;
  • the Customer requests unlawful activity;
  • illegal software is discovered;
  • the environment creates an unreasonable security or safety risk;
  • the Customer abuses or threatens USS personnel;
  • the Customer materially breaches these terms;
  • continued service may expose USS or another person to legal or regulatory risk; or
  • the relationship of trust has materially broken down.

Termination does not remove liability for:

  • work already performed;
  • products already ordered;
  • outstanding invoices;
  • fees applicable during the notice period;
  • committed third-party subscriptions;
  • cancellation charges;
  • offboarding work outside the included scope; or
  • other obligations that accrued before termination.

34. Offboarding and handover

On termination, USS will perform the offboarding activities included in the applicable agreement. Unless otherwise agreed, this ordinarily includes:

  • identifying the authorised recipient;
  • handing over Customer-owned administrator credentials held by USS;
  • issuing temporary passwords where appropriate;
  • removing USS proprietary tools;
  • arranging removal of remote monitoring and management agents;
  • revoking USS-specific access; and
  • providing limited access to available Customer records or portals for a reasonable transition period.

Credentials will be released only to one authorised person nominated by the Customer in writing, unless USS agrees otherwise. The recipient must change temporary passwords and secure the accounts immediately.

USS is not required to:

  • train the replacement provider;
  • document systems beyond existing records;
  • recreate missing records;
  • perform remediation;
  • redesign the Customer’s environment;
  • provide unpaid consulting;
  • disclose USS proprietary configurations, methods, scripts or internal records; or
  • maintain indefinite portal access.

Additional handover, migration, meetings, documentation and assistance may be billed at the prevailing rate. After the handover period, USS may archive the Customer in its systems to prevent accidental tickets, unintended access or continued support activity.

USS may retain records required for legal, tax, security, insurance and legitimate business purposes.

35. Intellectual property

Each party retains ownership of intellectual property it owned before the relationship.

USS retains ownership of its:

  • templates and documentation formats;
  • methods and know-how;
  • scripts and automation;
  • tools;
  • designs;
  • configurations of general application; and
  • internal processes.

Once fully paid, the Customer may use project-specific deliverables created specifically for it for its internal business purposes, unless otherwise agreed. Third-party intellectual property remains subject to the owner’s terms.

36. Non-solicitation of personnel

During the service relationship and for 12 months after it ends, the Customer must not knowingly employ or directly contract a USS employee or regular contractor who was materially involved in providing services to the Customer, unless USS gives written consent.

This restriction does not apply to a person who responds independently to a general public recruitment advertisement not directed at USS personnel. Where enforceable, USS may recover reasonable recruitment and replacement costs resulting from a breach.

37. Communications and electronic acceptance

The parties agree that notices, approvals, quotations, instructions and agreements may be communicated and accepted electronically.

Electronic acceptance may include:

  • an electronic signature;
  • an email approval;
  • approval through a portal;
  • payment of a deposit;
  • acceptance of a quotation;
  • an authorised support instruction; or
  • another electronic action clearly indicating agreement.

Routine operational communications may be sent to the Customer’s last known email address or approved electronic channel. The Customer must keep its contact details current.

Formal cancellation, breach and legal notices to USS must be sent to admin@ussit.co.za.

38. Complaints and disputes

A Customer complaint should be submitted in writing to admin@ussit.co.za with sufficient details and supporting information.

USS will acknowledge or respond to a properly submitted complaint within 10 business days, where reasonably possible. If the matter remains unresolved, it may be referred for senior-management review.

The parties must attempt in good faith to resolve a dispute through direct discussion before commencing formal proceedings, unless urgent relief is reasonably required.

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. Subject to any law requiring otherwise, the parties consent to the jurisdiction of the Magistrates’ Court having territorial jurisdiction, despite the amount of the claim. Either party may choose to bring proceedings in another competent court where permitted.

39. Domicilium and notices

USS selects the following address as its domicilium citandi et executandi for the delivery of formal legal notices and legal process:

Vindouro Investments (Pty) Ltd trading as Utilitarian Support Solutions
329 Wynandskraal Street
Erasmusrand
Pretoria
0129
South Africa

The Customer’s domicilium is the physical or registered address most recently supplied to USS in writing, unless a different address is stated in a signed agreement.

Either party may change its domicilium by giving written notice to the other party.

40. Consumer protection

These terms must be interpreted subject to applicable consumer-protection law. Nothing in these terms is intended to:

  • deprive a consumer of a right that cannot lawfully be waived;
  • exclude liability that cannot lawfully be excluded;
  • impose an unlawful penalty; or
  • override a mandatory statutory remedy.

Where the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 applies and conflicts with these terms, the applicable statutory requirement prevails.

41. Changes to these terms

USS may update these General Terms and Conditions where reasonably necessary to reflect:

  • changes in law;
  • changes to services;
  • supplier requirements;
  • security requirements;
  • operational changes; or
  • corrections and clarifications.

The version published on the USS website applies from its stated effective date. A material change affecting an existing fixed-term agreement will apply subject to that agreement and applicable law.

42. General provisions

A failure or delay in enforcing a right is not a waiver of that right.

If a provision is unlawful or unenforceable, it must be limited or severed only to the extent necessary. The remaining provisions continue to apply.

The Customer may not transfer its rights or obligations without USS’s written consent. USS may use suitably qualified employees, contractors and service providers to perform the services.

Headings are for convenience and do not affect interpretation. Words in the singular include the plural and vice versa. References to written communication include email and other reproducible electronic communication.


Privacy Notice

43. Purpose of this Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice explains how USS collects, uses, stores, shares and protects personal information in accordance with POPIA and other applicable South African law.

44. Information we may collect

Depending on the relationship and services provided, USS may process:

  • names and identity or representative information;
  • company, practice and organisational details;
  • contact information;
  • billing and transaction information;
  • support requests and correspondence;
  • device, network and system information;
  • security and access records;
  • technical logs;
  • administrator and user-account information;
  • information contained in Customer systems where access is necessary to provide support; and
  • other information voluntarily supplied to USS.

In healthcare and diagnostic environments, technical support may incidentally expose USS to patient, clinical or special personal information. USS will process such information only where reasonably necessary and authorised for the provision of the relevant ICT service.

45. How information is collected

USS may collect information through:

  • direct communications with Customers and authorised representatives;
  • email, telephone and support systems;
  • agreements, quotations and invoices;
  • remote monitoring, security and administration tools;
  • Microsoft 365 services used for business communications and administration;
  • technical and security logs generated by the website or hosting environment; and
  • third-party vendors involved in supplying an authorised service.

The USS website does not currently provide online purchasing, payment processing or public website forms.

46. Purposes of processing

USS may process personal information to:

  • respond to enquiries and communicate with Customers;
  • prepare quotations and administer agreements;
  • provide, support and secure ICT services;
  • manage support tickets and authorised remote access;
  • administer billing, payments and business records;
  • manage suppliers, licences and subscriptions;
  • detect and respond to security or operational incidents;
  • comply with legal, regulatory, tax, accounting and insurance requirements;
  • establish, exercise or defend legal rights;
  • improve service quality and internal processes; and
  • perform other purposes authorised by the Customer or permitted by law.

47. Lawful processing

USS processes personal information where the processing is lawful and reasonably necessary, including where it is required to perform an agreement, comply with a legal obligation, protect a legitimate interest, pursue a legitimate business purpose or act with the data subject’s consent where consent is required.

Consent is not treated as the only possible basis for lawful processing. Where consent is relied upon, it may be withdrawn subject to applicable law and any continuing lawful basis for retention or processing.

48. Information sharing

USS does not sell personal information.

USS may share information with:

  • authorised employees and contractors;
  • cloud, hosting, security, backup, support and administration providers;
  • Microsoft 365 and other authorised service providers;
  • hardware and software vendors where required for support;
  • accountants, auditors, insurers, attorneys and other professional advisers;
  • debt-recovery providers where payment is overdue;
  • regulators, law-enforcement bodies or courts where required by law; and
  • other parties authorised by the Customer or data subject.

Service providers receive only the information reasonably required for their role and are expected to apply appropriate confidentiality and security safeguards.

49. Cross-border processing

USS uses reputable local and international cloud, security, backup, support, communications and administration providers. Personal information may therefore be processed or stored outside South Africa.

Where cross-border processing occurs, USS will use appropriate contractual, organisational, technical or legal safeguards as required by applicable law.

50. Website hosting, fonts and technical services

The USS website is hosted through Xneelo. The website also uses external web-font, library and content-delivery services to provide its appearance and technical functionality. These providers may receive limited technical information, such as an internet protocol address, browser information, requested resource, date and time of access, and similar connection data.

The website is not intended to use personal information for behavioural advertising. USS uses contact information primarily for customer, support, administrative and operational communications.

51. Security safeguards

USS applies reasonable technical and organisational safeguards appropriate to the nature of the information and the services being provided. These may include:

  • access control;
  • multi-factor authentication;
  • secure credential storage;
  • endpoint and network security measures;
  • encryption where appropriate and available;
  • logging and monitoring;
  • confidentiality obligations;
  • backup and recovery controls where selected; and
  • security and access reviews.

No security measure can eliminate all risk. Customers must also apply reasonable safeguards within their own organisations.

52. Retention of information

USS retains personal information only for as long as reasonably required for the purpose for which it was collected, or as required for legal, tax, accounting, contractual, support, security, insurance, dispute-resolution and legitimate operational purposes.

Information may be archived, restricted, deleted, anonymised or securely destroyed when it is no longer reasonably required, subject to applicable law and technical limitations.

53. Data-subject rights

Subject to applicable law, a data subject may request:

  • confirmation that USS holds their personal information;
  • access to their personal information;
  • correction or updating of inaccurate information;
  • deletion or destruction where legally permitted;
  • restriction or objection to certain processing; and
  • information about the processing of their personal information.

USS may require reasonable identity and authority verification before responding. Some information may need to be retained or withheld where permitted or required by law.

54. Privacy and POPIA enquiries

Privacy, POPIA and access-to-information enquiries may be directed to:

Werner Ferreira
Director
Vindouro Investments (Pty) Ltd trading as Utilitarian Support Solutions

Email: privacy@ussit.co.za
Telephone: +27 12 000 9352
Physical and postal address:
329 Wynandskraal Street
Erasmusrand
Pretoria
0129
South Africa

No Deputy Information Officer has been appointed.

55. Complaints to the Information Regulator

A person who is dissatisfied with USS’s handling of their personal information may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa. Current contact information and complaint procedures are available from the Information Regulator’s official website.

56. General contact details

Vindouro Investments (Pty) Ltd
Trading as Utilitarian Support Solutions
Registration number: 2016/094871/07
VAT number: 436 0292 454

Physical and postal address:
329 Wynandskraal Street
Erasmusrand
Pretoria
0129
South Africa

Telephone: +27 12 000 9352
General enquiries: info@ussit.co.za
Support: support@ussit.co.za
Accounts, legal notices and complaints: admin@ussit.co.za
Privacy and POPIA: privacy@ussit.co.za
Website: www.ussit.co.za

Last updated: 23 July 2026