Terms and Conditions of Use

1.1 This website (udm.org.za, the “Website”) is operated by the United Democratic Movement (“UDM”, “we”, “us”, “our”), a political party registered in South Africa. Registered address: [registered head office address]. Email: [general contact email]. Telephone: [contact number].

1.2 These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the Website, including its forms, donation facility, the UDM Goodies store, the UDM AI Assistant, and all content. The Privacy Policy (Part 2) and Refund Policy (Part 3) form part of these Terms.

1.3 By using the Website you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Website.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The updated version takes effect when posted on the Website, and the “Last updated” date will change. Continued use of the Website after an update means you accept it. Changes do not affect orders or donations completed before the change.

3.1 Anyone may browse the Website. To make a donation or purchase from the UDM Goodies store you must be 18 or older and legally able to enter into a contract.

3.2 Some structures of the UDM have their own age rules (for example, the UDM Youth Vanguard admits members aged 16 to 35). If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must consent to your application and to our processing of your personal information.

3.3 You must give accurate, current and complete information in every form you submit.

You agree not to:

• use the Website unlawfully, or to harass, threaten, defame, or incite hatred or violence against any person or group;
• submit false, misleading or fraudulent information, including false corruption reports, false identities or stolen payment details;
• impersonate the UDM, its leaders, staff, members or candidates, or create the impression that you speak for the UDM;
• attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Website, its servers or data, introduce malware, scrape or overload the Website, or interfere with its security or operation;
• use the Website, the UDM AI Assistant or any contact details found here to send spam or unsolicited commercial messages; or
• use the Website in any way that contravenes South African law, including the Electoral Code of Conduct and the Cybercrimes Act, 2020.

5.1 The UDM name, logos, the logos of UDMYV, UDMWO and UDESMO, photographs, videos, speeches, statements, documents, songs, graphics and design are owned by or licensed to the UDM and are protected by copyright and trade mark law. All rights are reserved.

5.2 You may view and share Website content for personal, non-commercial purposes, and members of the media may quote UDM statements and speeches with clear attribution to the UDM. You may not otherwise copy, adapt, sell or commercially exploit our content, or use the UDM name or logos in a way that suggests endorsement or affiliation, without our written permission.

5.3 Photographs and videos may show members of the public. If you appear in content and want it removed, contact us (see clause 20).

6.1 The Website contains the UDM’s policies, positions, speeches, media statements and campaign material. These reflect the views of the UDM and its representatives and are provided for information, not as legal, financial or professional advice.

6.2 We try to keep content accurate and current, but we do not guarantee that it is complete or error-free. Statements about events, court cases or legislation are summaries and may be superseded by later developments or official sources.

7.1 Submitting a membership, volunteer or candidate form is an application only. It does not make you a member, volunteer or candidate. Membership is governed by the UDM Constitution and the constitutions of the relevant structure, and applications may be accepted or rejected by the relevant branch or party body.

7.2 Membership generally requires that you support the UDM’s policies, vision and mission, meet the age and citizenship or residency criteria of the relevant structure, and are not a member of another political party.

7.3 Volunteers give their time freely. Volunteering does not create an employment relationship, and volunteers are not entitled to remuneration unless agreed in writing.

7.4 Candidate applications do not guarantee nomination or placement on any list. Selection follows the UDM’s internal processes. We may verify the information you provide and, where lawful and with your consent, run reasonable background checks.

8.1 The “Report corruption” and “Feedback” forms let you share information with us. Please report only what you honestly believe to be true.

8.2 We will treat reports with care and limit access to those who need it. We may refer reports to the police, the Special Investigating Unit, the Public Protector or other competent authorities, and we may disclose information where the law requires. The form is not an emergency service and does not replace reporting a crime to the South African Police Service.

8.3 You keep ownership of what you submit, but you give us a non-exclusive licence to use it to assess, investigate and act on it, and, if it is general feedback, to improve our work.

9.1 Donations are voluntary and made for the party political purposes of the UDM. A donation does not buy goods, services, influence, access, appointments or any favourable treatment, and does not make you a member.

9.2 By donating you confirm that: you are donating your own lawful funds, or those of the entity you are authorised to represent; the funds are not from a source prohibited by the Political Funding Act, 2018 (formerly the Political Party Funding Act), including organs of state, state-owned entities and foreign governments; and the information you provide is accurate.

9.3 We may be required to record and disclose donor details to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) when donations exceed the legal disclosure threshold, and to keep donation records. We may refuse, return or report any donation that we believe is unlawful, suspicious or prohibited.

9.4 Donations are made in South African rand (ZAR). Refunds are covered in Part 3. Donations may not be tax-deductible; please consult a tax adviser.

10.1 Prices are in ZAR [and include VAT where applicable]. We may change prices, products and availability at any time, but the price shown when you place your order applies to that order.

10.2 An order is accepted when we confirm it by email or dispatch it. We may decline or cancel an order, for example because of stock, pricing errors or suspected fraud, and will refund any amount already paid.

10.3 Delivery methods, costs and times are shown at checkout: [delivery details]. Risk in the goods passes to you on delivery.

10.4 Returns and refunds follow Part 3.

10.5 Seller details: [legal name and registration details, if applicable], [physical address], [contact details].

11.1 The UDM AI Assistant provides automated answers about the UDM. It may be incomplete or wrong, and is not official advice or an official statement of UDM policy. For official positions, see our policy documents and media statements or contact us.

The Website links to or embeds services we do not control, such as udmlive.com, TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram, and may use third-party payment providers and hosting services. We are not responsible for their content, security or privacy practices. Your use of them is governed by their own terms.

The Website may be viewed in several South African languages. Where a translation differs from the English version, the English version prevails.

14.1 The Website is provided “as is” and “as available”. To the extent the law allows, we do not guarantee that it will be uninterrupted, secure or free of errors or harmful components.

14.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, the UDM, its office-bearers, employees, volunteers and service providers are not liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential loss, or loss of profit or data, arising from your use of the Website or reliance on its content.

You agree to indemnify the UDM against claims, losses and costs (including reasonable legal costs) arising from your unlawful use of the Website or your breach of these Terms, to the extent the law permits.

We may restrict or block access to the Website, or reject a submission or order, if we reasonably believe you have breached these Terms or the law.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa. We encourage you to raise any complaint with us first (clause 20). Subject to your rights under the CPA, the South African courts have jurisdiction, and the [relevant Division] of the High Court is the preferred forum for any dispute.

These Terms, with the Privacy and Refund Policies, are the whole agreement between you and the UDM about the Website. If any provision is found invalid, the rest remains in force. Failure to enforce a right is not a waiver of it.

We may give you notice by posting on the Website or by email to the address you provided. Notices to us must be sent to the contact details below.

United Democratic Movement • [registered head office address] • [general contact email] • [contact number]

For official communications, removal requests under clause 5.3, or dispute notifications under clause 17, please reach out via our Contact Page or submit feedback via our Feedback Form.