THE LOOKOUT

Terms and Conditions of Use

Effective date: 26 October 2026
Platform operator: The Lookout
Contact email: daflea007@gmail.com
Phone: 060 508 0637
Address: 106 Gardner Street, Risiville, Meyerton
Operating area: Risiville, Midvaal, Gauteng, South Africa

By registering for, accessing or using The Lookout application, website or related services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood these Terms and Conditions and agree to comply with them. If you do not agree, you must not register for or use the platform. You are contracting with The Lookout.

1. Purpose of The Lookout

The Lookout is a community information and communication platform intended to help residents share information, report community concerns, access community notices and discover local businesses and service providers.

The Lookout is an independent community platform. Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, it is not operated by, affiliated with, endorsed by or acting as an authorised representative of Midvaal Local Municipality, the South African Police Service, emergency services or any other government authority.

The platform is intended to supplement existing communication channels and must not be treated as a replacement for official municipal services, emergency services or other authorised reporting mechanisms.

2. Municipal Issues and Community Reporting

2.1 Official municipal reporting remains essential

The Lookout provides a facility for residents to record, share or track municipal issues and community concerns. This functionality is intended to assist communication within the community.

The Lookout does not replace the official Midvaal Municipality application, municipal website, telephone services, customer service channels or any other official municipal reporting process.

Users must continue to report all municipal faults, service interruptions, infrastructure problems, complaints and other relevant issues directly to Midvaal Municipality through the appropriate official channels.

2.2 No guarantee of official submission

Unless a specific integration is expressly confirmed as operational, submitting an issue through The Lookout does not mean that the issue has been submitted to, received by, acknowledged by or registered with Midvaal Municipality.

The Lookout does not guarantee that municipal officials will see, investigate, acknowledge, resolve or respond to any issue recorded on the platform.

Users remain responsible for obtaining and retaining official municipal reference numbers and for following up through official channels.

2.3 Accuracy of information

Users are responsible for ensuring that information they submit is accurate, honest and as complete as reasonably possible.

The Lookout is not responsible for errors, omissions, incorrect locations, incorrect categorisation, inaccurate descriptions, duplicate submissions or misleading information entered by users, except to the extent that applicable law provides otherwise.

Users must not knowingly submit false, fabricated, malicious or misleading reports or use the reporting system to harass, threaten or defame another person.

2.4 Community reports are not verified official findings

Information displayed on The Lookout may originate from residents or other third parties and may not have been independently verified.

A report, photograph, map location, comment or status displayed on the platform must not automatically be interpreted as an official municipal finding, confirmation of fault, admission of liability or guarantee that a particular issue exists.

The Lookout may moderate, correct, restrict or remove content where reasonably necessary, subject to applicable law. It does not undertake to investigate or verify every report.

3. Emergencies and SOS Functionality

3.1 The Lookout is not an emergency response service

Any SOS, emergency alert, panic button, incident notification or similar functionality provided by The Lookout is intended to assist with communication only, unless a specific emergency-response service is expressly described and confirmed as operational.

The Lookout does not guarantee that an alert will be delivered, seen, acknowledged or acted upon. Notifications may be delayed or fail because of network outages, device settings, technical failures or other circumstances.

3.2 Contact the appropriate authorities directly

In any emergency involving an immediate threat to life, physical safety or property, users must contact the appropriate emergency services or authorities directly without waiting for a response through The Lookout.

Depending on the emergency, this may include the South African Police Service, ambulance services, fire and rescue services or other relevant authorities.

3.3 Do not put yourself in danger

Users must never place themselves or other people at risk to investigate an incident, photograph a suspect, approach a dangerous person, confront a criminal, enter a hazardous area or assist with an incident beyond their training or abilities.

Do not attempt to act as law enforcement or emergency personnel. Move to a safe location where possible and follow instructions from the relevant authorities.

3.4 No guarantee of assistance

The Lookout does not guarantee that another user, neighbourhood group, security company or other third party will respond to an SOS alert or provide assistance.

Users must not rely exclusively on The Lookout for personal safety, security, rescue or emergency response.

4. Local Hub — Business Listings and Advertising

4.1 Advertising directory only

The Local Hub section provides a facility for businesses and service providers to advertise their services to residents.

Listings may include plumbers, electricians, builders, mechanics, security providers, garden services and other businesses.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in a separate written contract, The Lookout acts only as a platform for displaying advertising and business information. The Lookout is not the supplier of the advertised services and is not a party to any contract between a user and an advertised business.

4.2 No endorsement or guarantee

The appearance of a business in Local Hub does not necessarily mean that The Lookout has inspected, independently verified, endorsed, certified or recommended that business.

Users must independently assess the suitability, reliability, qualifications, experience, reputation and legal compliance of any service provider before engaging them.

Where relevant, users should verify professional registrations, licences, insurance, references, quotations and other credentials before allowing a service provider to work on their property.

4.3 Independent transactions

All enquiries, quotations, appointments, contracts, purchases, payments and service arrangements are between the customer and the relevant business.

The Lookout does not negotiate or guarantee prices, work quality, workmanship, delivery, completion dates, warranties, refunds, customer satisfaction or the financial standing of an advertiser.

Unless expressly agreed otherwise in writing, The Lookout does not collect payment for, supervise, manage or guarantee the work performed by a listed business.

4.4 Responsibility for work and disputes

To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Lookout is not responsible for the acts or omissions of an advertiser or service provider, including defective workmanship, incomplete work, property damage, theft, personal injury, financial loss, missed appointments, non-payment disputes, fraudulent conduct or breaches of contract.

Any dispute concerning a quotation, service, payment, warranty, contract or work performed must be addressed directly with the relevant business and, where appropriate, through the applicable consumer protection, legal or dispute-resolution channels.

Nothing in these Terms removes any legal responsibility that The Lookout cannot lawfully exclude.

4.5 Advertiser responsibilities

Businesses advertising on The Lookout must ensure that their listings, contact details, qualifications, prices, photographs, claims and promotional material are accurate and lawful.

Advertisers must have the necessary permissions to use submitted logos, photographs and other materials and must not make misleading claims, advertise unlawful services or impersonate another business.

The Lookout may reject, suspend, edit or remove a listing where it reasonably considers this necessary to protect users, enforce these Terms or comply with the law.

4.6 Paid and featured listings

Where paid advertising or featured listings are offered, the applicable price, billing frequency, duration, cancellation terms and other material conditions will be disclosed separately before purchase.

Payment for a listing purchases the agreed advertising placement only. It does not constitute a guarantee of customer enquiries, sales, business success or a recommendation by The Lookout.

Advertisers remain responsible for complying with all laws applicable to their business and advertising.

5. User Accounts and Responsibilities

Users must provide truthful registration information, maintain the confidentiality of their login credentials and take reasonable steps to secure their accounts.

Users are responsible for activity carried out through their accounts, except where applicable law provides otherwise.

Users agree not to:

• Submit false, fraudulent, abusive or deliberately misleading information.
• Harass, threaten, intimidate or defame other users.
• Publish another person's private information without a lawful basis.
• Impersonate an individual, business, official or authority.
• Use the platform for unlawful activity, spam, scams or unauthorised commercial solicitation.
• Attempt to disrupt, damage, exploit or gain unauthorised access to the platform or its systems.
• Upload content that infringes another person's rights or applicable law.

Users must promptly notify The Lookout if they suspect unauthorised access to their accounts.

6. User-Generated Content and Moderation

Users retain any rights they have in content they submit, subject to the permissions necessary to operate the platform.

By submitting content, users grant The Lookout a non-exclusive permission to host, store, reproduce, display and distribute that content as reasonably necessary to operate, maintain, moderate and promote the platform, subject to applicable law and the platform's Privacy Policy.

Users must have the rights and permissions required to submit their content.

The Lookout may review, restrict, hide or remove content that violates these Terms, infringes rights, creates a safety risk or may be unlawful. Where appropriate, suspected unlawful conduct may be referred to the relevant authorities.

The Lookout does not guarantee that all inappropriate or inaccurate content will be identified or removed immediately.

7. Privacy and Personal Information

The Lookout will process personal information in accordance with applicable South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), where applicable.

Personal information may include registration details, contact information, issue reports, photographs, location information and communications submitted through the platform.

The Lookout will collect, use, retain, secure and disclose personal information only in accordance with applicable law, its Privacy Policy and any relevant lawful basis or authorisation.

Information may be shared with relevant third parties where necessary for the operation of the platform, to respond to a user's request, to address a safety concern or where disclosure is otherwise legally permitted or required.

Users should not publish sensitive personal information, private addresses, identity numbers, private telephone numbers or identifiable images of others unless they have an appropriate lawful basis to do so.

Users can consult the separate Privacy Policy for details about the information collected, its purposes, retention, sharing, security and the exercise of applicable privacy rights.

Privacy contact: daflea007@gmail.com, 060 508 0637 — see our Privacy Policy.

8. Platform Availability and Technical Limitations

The Lookout is provided subject to technical availability and operational limitations.

The platform may occasionally be unavailable because of maintenance, software updates, hosting failures, internet or mobile network interruptions, cyber incidents or circumstances beyond the operator's reasonable control.

The Lookout does not guarantee uninterrupted access, error-free operation, permanent storage of submitted information or delivery of every notification.

Users should retain their own records of important reports and must use official channels for urgent or time-sensitive matters.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, The Lookout is not responsible for losses arising solely from:

• Incorrect or misleading information submitted by users or third parties.
• A municipal issue not being officially logged, acknowledged or resolved.
• A failure or delay in an alert, notification or communication.
• A user's reliance on unverified community information.
• The conduct, services, representations or work of an independently listed business.
• Temporary platform unavailability or technical interruptions beyond the operator's reasonable control.

This section does not exclude or limit any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited, including applicable statutory consumer rights and liability for conduct for which an exclusion is prohibited by law.

Nothing in these Terms is intended to excuse fraud, gross negligence or any other conduct where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

10. Indemnity

To the extent permitted by applicable law, a user may be responsible for reasonable losses, liabilities or costs directly arising from that user's unlawful conduct, infringement of third-party rights or material breach of these Terms.

This provision does not require a user to indemnify The Lookout for liability caused by The Lookout's own conduct where such an obligation would be unlawful or unenforceable.

11. Suspension and Termination

The Lookout may suspend, restrict or terminate access to an account where reasonably necessary because of a material breach of these Terms, suspected fraud, unlawful activity, security risks or misuse of the platform.

Where reasonably practicable and appropriate, the user may be given notice and an opportunity to address the issue.

Users may stop using the platform and may request account closure through the designated support channel. Account closure and deletion of personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable law, the Privacy Policy and any legitimate retention requirements.

12. Changes to the Platform or These Terms

The Lookout may modify its features, services or these Terms from time to time.

Where required by law, or where a change materially affects users' rights or obligations, appropriate notice will be provided before the change takes effect.

The current version and effective date will be made available through the platform. Continued use following a change will constitute acceptance only to the extent permitted by applicable law and any required notice or consent procedures.

13. Governing Law and Disputes

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

Any dispute will be handled through the applicable legal and dispute-resolution procedures in South Africa, subject to any mandatory rights or protections available to the user under applicable law.

Nothing in this section prevents a user from exercising a statutory right to approach a competent regulator, tribunal or court.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be interpreted or limited to the minimum extent necessary, where legally possible. The remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.

15. Contact Details

Questions, complaints or requests relating to these Terms may be sent to:

Platform: The Lookout
Operator: The Lookout
Email: daflea007@gmail.com
Postal or business address: 106 Gardner Street, Risiville, Meyerton

15A. Advertising Payments

Advertising subscriptions (R399 per month) are paid online. Our order process is conducted by our online reseller Paddle.com. Paddle.com is the Merchant of Record for all our orders. Paddle provides all customer service inquiries and handles returns. Payment, billing, tax, renewal and cancellation are governed by Paddle's Buyer Terms. Refunds are described in our Refund Policy.

We may suspend or remove an advertisement or account for material breach of these Terms, non-payment, security or fraud risk, or repeated or serious policy violations. The Lookout retains ownership of the platform, its software and branding. We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service.

16. Registration Acknowledgement

By selecting the acceptance checkbox and completing registration, I confirm that:

1. I have read and agree to The Lookout's Terms and Conditions.
2. I understand that The Lookout does not replace official Midvaal Municipality reporting channels and that municipal issues must still be reported directly to the Municipality.
3. I understand that The Lookout is not an emergency response service and that I must contact the relevant authorities directly in an emergency and avoid placing myself or others in danger.
4. I understand that Local Hub is an advertising directory and that I must independently assess any advertised service provider before engaging them.
5. I acknowledge that my use of The Lookout is subject to these Terms and the separate Privacy Policy.

End of Terms and Conditions