Acceptable Use Policy

1. Purpose and Scope

This Acceptable Use Policy ("Policy") governs your use of Thula Mali's website, platform, services, and any funding provided. This Policy is incorporated into and forms part of our Terms of Service.

The purpose of this Policy is to protect Thula Mali, our users, our partners, and the broader community from irresponsible or illegal use of our services. By accessing or using our services, you agree to comply with this Policy.

Violation of this Policy may result in immediate suspension or termination of your account, revocation of funding, legal action, and reporting to relevant authorities.

2. General Principles

When using our services, you must:

• Comply with all applicable South African laws and regulations
• Respect the rights and dignity of others
• Act in good faith and with honesty in all dealings with Thula Mali
• Use our services only for their intended legitimate business purposes
• Maintain the confidentiality of your account credentials
• Promptly report any security breaches or unauthorized access
• Provide accurate, complete, and truthful information at all times

3. Prohibited Activities

3.1 Illegal Activities

You must not use our services for any illegal purpose, including but not limited to:

• Fraud and Financial Crime: Money laundering, terrorist financing, embezzlement, tax evasion, or any form of financial fraud
• Theft and Misappropriation: Theft of funds, intellectual property infringement, or unauthorized use of others' property
• Illegal Trade: Trafficking in illegal goods, counterfeit products, stolen property, or controlled substances
• Regulatory Violations: Operating without required licenses, permits, or regulatory approvals
• Corruption: Bribery, kickbacks, or any corrupt business practices

3.2 Misrepresentation and Fraud

You must not:

• Provide false, misleading, or inaccurate information in your application or revenue reports
• Falsify financial statements, bank records, or business documentation
• Misrepresent your identity, business operations, or revenue figures
• Create multiple accounts or submit duplicate applications to circumvent our policies
• Impersonate another person or entity
• Use stolen, forged, or fraudulent identification documents

3.3 Prohibited Business Activities

Funding may not be used for businesses engaged in:

• Gambling and Gaming: Casinos, sports betting, online gambling platforms, or lottery services
• Adult Content: Pornography, adult entertainment venues, or sexually explicit services
• Weapons and Explosives: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, or military equipment
• Illegal Substances: Narcotics, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia
• Pyramid Schemes: Multi-level marketing schemes, Ponzi schemes, or similar fraudulent business models
• Cryptocurrency Speculation: High-risk cryptocurrency trading or speculative investments
• Tobacco Products: Sale or distribution of tobacco, vaping products, or e-cigarettes
• Endangered Species: Trade in protected wildlife, ivory, or endangered species products

3.4 Misuse of Funds

Funding provided by Thula Mali must be used solely for legitimate business purposes. You must not:

• Use funds for personal expenses unrelated to your business
• Divert funds to other businesses or individuals
• Use funds to repay other debts or loans (unless explicitly approved)
• Invest funds in high-risk speculative ventures
• Use funds for purposes other than those stated in your application
• Comingle business funds with personal accounts in a manner that obscures fund usage

3.5 System Abuse and Security Violations

You must not:

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems, databases, or user accounts
• Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to access or scrape our website
• Introduce viruses, malware, or malicious code into our systems
• Conduct denial-of-service attacks or attempt to disrupt our services
• Reverse engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract source code from our platform
• Circumvent security measures or authentication mechanisms
• Share your account credentials with unauthorized third parties

3.6 Harassment and Abuse

You must not:

• Harass, threaten, or intimidate Thula Mali staff, partners, or other users
• Use abusive, discriminatory, or offensive language in communications
• Make false accusations or defamatory statements about Thula Mali
• Engage in any form of discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics

3.7 Intellectual Property Violations

You must not:

• Infringe on Thula Mali's trademarks, copyrights, or intellectual property
• Use our branding, logos, or content without written permission
• Misrepresent affiliation with or endorsement by Thula Mali
• Copy, reproduce, or distribute our proprietary materials

4. Reporting Obligations

4.1 Accurate Revenue Reporting

As a condition of receiving revenue-based funding, you must provide accurate and complete monthly revenue reports. This includes:

• Reporting all business revenue, including cash and electronic payments
• Providing supporting documentation when requested (bank statements, POS reports, invoices)
• Reporting revenue by the 5th day of each month
• Immediately notifying us of any significant changes in business operations or revenue

4.2 Material Changes

You must promptly notify Thula Mali of:

• Changes in business ownership, structure, or legal status
• Changes in contact information (phone, email, address)
• Changes in bank account details
• Cessation or suspension of business operations
• Insolvency, liquidation, or business rescue proceedings
• Any legal proceedings or regulatory investigations affecting your business

4.3 Security Incidents

You must immediately report any suspected security breaches, unauthorized access to your account, or suspicious activity to [email protected].

5. Consequences of Policy Violations

Thula Mali reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions in response to violations of this Policy:

6. Monitoring and Enforcement

6.1 Right to Monitor

Thula Mali reserves the right to monitor your use of our services to ensure compliance with this Policy. This may include:

• Reviewing submitted applications and documentation
• Analyzing revenue reports and financial data
• Conducting periodic audits of funded businesses
• Monitoring website usage and account activity
• Investigating suspicious transactions or behavior

6.2 Cooperation with Authorities

We cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies, regulatory authorities, and legal processes. We may disclose user information when required by law or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, prevent fraud, or ensure public safety.

7. Reporting Policy Violations

If you become aware of any violations of this Acceptable Use Policy by other users or suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately to:

All reports will be treated confidentially and investigated promptly. We protect whistleblowers from retaliation in accordance with South African law.

8. Policy Updates

Thula Mali reserves the right to modify this Acceptable Use Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or prominent notice on our website. Your continued use of our services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.

9. Questions and Contact

If you have questions about this Acceptable Use Policy or need clarification on what constitutes acceptable use, please contact: