Terms and Conditions of Service

Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd

Terms of Use

Effective Date: 01/07/2026

Version: 3.0

1. Introduction

Welcome to Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd (“Johannesburg Polytechnic”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website, online learning platform, mobile applications, learning management system (LMS), digital resources, online courses, assessments, examinations, certifications, and all related services (collectively referred to as the “Platform”).

By creating an account, purchasing a course, enrolling in a programme, accessing any course material, or otherwise using our Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by these Terms.

If you do not agree with these Terms, you must not access or use the Platform.

2. About Johannesburg Polytechnic

Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd is a South African private education provider committed to delivering high-quality online and blended learning programmes that equip students with practical knowledge, professional skills, and recognised qualifications.

Our mission is to make quality education accessible through innovative digital learning technologies while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and student support.

3. Definitions

For the purposes of these Terms:

Account means your registered learner account.

Course means any online programme, module, workshop, webinar, short course, certification programme or educational content offered through the Platform.

Content means all videos, documents, presentations, quizzes, examinations, assignments, software, downloadable resources, graphics, audio, images and educational materials.

Learner means any individual enrolled in a Course.

Platform means the Johannesburg Polytechnic website, learning management system, mobile applications and associated online services.

Services means all educational and support services provided by Johannesburg Polytechnic.

4. Acceptance of these Terms

By using the Platform you confirm that:

• you are legally capable of entering into a binding agreement;
• the information you provide is accurate;
• you will comply with these Terms;
• you will comply with all applicable South African laws.

If you register on behalf of a company or organisation, you warrant that you are authorised to bind that organisation to these Terms.

5. Eligibility

To create an account you must:

• be at least 18 years old; or
• have permission from a parent or legal guardian if you are under 18 years of age;
• provide accurate registration information;
• maintain a valid email address.

Johannesburg Polytechnic reserves the right to refuse registration where false or misleading information has been supplied.

6. User Accounts

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.

You agree to:

• keep your password secure;
• notify us immediately of unauthorised access;
• update your personal information when it changes;
• accept responsibility for all activity on your account.

Accounts are personal and may not be shared, transferred, sold or assigned.

Johannesburg Polytechnic may suspend or terminate accounts suspected of unauthorised sharing.

7. Identity Verification

We may require learners to verify their identity before:

• writing examinations;
• receiving certificates;
• accessing regulated programmes;
• participating in proctored assessments.

Failure to complete verification may result in delayed certification or suspension of access.

8. Course Enrolment

Enrolment becomes effective once:

• payment has been successfully processed; and
• confirmation of enrolment has been issued.

Course availability may be limited by:

• enrolment capacity;
• programme schedules;
• prerequisite requirements;
• accreditation requirements.

Johannesburg Polytechnic reserves the right to decline enrolment where eligibility requirements are not met.

9. Lifetime Access

Unless expressly stated otherwise, learners receive access to purchased online course content for as long as Johannesburg Polytechnic makes that course available.

Lifetime access does not guarantee:

• instructor support;
• software compatibility;
• updates to course content;
• future versions of the course.

We reserve the right to remove or replace content where required by law, accreditation requirements, copyright obligations or quality assurance.

10. Pricing and Payments

All prices are displayed in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise indicated.

Johannesburg Polytechnic reserves the right to:

• amend pricing;
• offer promotional discounts;
• introduce new payment methods;
• correct pricing errors.

Payment must be made using approved payment methods.

Failure to complete payment may result in suspension of access.

11. Refunds

Refunds are governed by Johannesburg Polytechnic’s published Refund Policy, which forms part of these Terms.

Key principles include:

• a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee for eligible online courses;
• refunds subject to course usage and completion;
• refunds may be declined where significant course progress has occurred;
• certificates already issued are generally not refundable;
• subscription fees are generally non-refundable after commencement;
• abuse of the refund policy may result in account suspension.

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights afforded under the Consumer Protection Act.

12. Student Responsibilities

Learners agree to:

• complete their own coursework;
• submit original work;
• maintain respectful conduct;
• comply with academic policies;
• protect confidential information;
• use the Platform only for lawful educational purposes.

13. Academic Integrity

Johannesburg Polytechnic maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards academic misconduct.

Prohibited conduct includes:

• plagiarism;
• cheating;
• impersonation;
• contract cheating;
• examination fraud;
• falsification of records;
• unauthorised use of artificial intelligence where prohibited;
• sharing examination questions.

Academic misconduct may result in:

• failing assessments;
• cancellation of certificates;
• suspension;
• permanent expulsion.

14. Assessments and Certification

Certificates will only be issued after successful completion of all academic requirements.

Johannesburg Polytechnic reserves the right to:

• verify assessment results;
• conduct moderation;
• withdraw certificates obtained through fraud or misconduct.

15. Intellectual Property

All intellectual property on the Platform remains the exclusive property of Johannesburg Polytechnic or its licensors.

Learners receive a limited, non-transferable licence to access purchased educational content solely for personal educational purposes.

Learners may not:

• reproduce;
• distribute;
• sell;
• record;
• publicly display;
• upload;
• modify;
• sublicense;
• share course materials.

Unauthorised use constitutes copyright infringement.

16. User Conduct

Users must not:

• upload malicious software;
• interfere with Platform security;
• attempt unauthorised access;
• harass staff or other learners;
• post unlawful or offensive material;
• infringe intellectual property rights;
• misuse certificates;
• use automated tools to scrape Platform content.

17. Platform Availability

Johannesburg Polytechnic aims to maintain high service availability but does not guarantee uninterrupted access.

Services may be unavailable due to:

• scheduled maintenance;
• technical failures;
• cyber incidents;
• third-party outages;
• force majeure events.

18. Third-Party Services

The Platform may integrate with third-party services including payment providers, video conferencing platforms, cloud storage providers and authentication services.

Use of third-party services remains subject to their own terms and privacy policies.

19. Privacy

Johannesburg Polytechnic processes personal information in accordance with:

• the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA);
• applicable South African legislation;
• our Privacy Policy.

By using the Platform you consent to such processing.

20. Communications

You agree to receive electronic communications relating to:

• enrolment;
• payments;
• examinations;
• certificates;
• system notifications;
• policy updates.

Electronic communications satisfy any legal requirement for written communication under the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act.

21. Suspension and Termination

Johannesburg Polytechnic may suspend or terminate accounts where users:

• breach these Terms;
• commit fraud;
• abuse the refund policy;
• share accounts;
• violate academic integrity;
• infringe intellectual property rights;
• fail to pay outstanding fees.

Termination does not automatically entitle the learner to a refund.

22. Fraud and Chargebacks

Where fraudulent transactions or unjustified chargebacks occur, Johannesburg Polytechnic may:

• suspend course access;
• revoke certificates;
• recover outstanding amounts;
• permanently terminate accounts;
• pursue legal remedies where appropriate.

Learners are encouraged to contact Johannesburg Polytechnic before initiating a payment dispute.

23. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by South African law, Johannesburg Polytechnic shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages arising from the use of the Platform.

Our total liability shall not exceed the amount paid by the learner for the affected course.

Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

24. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold Johannesburg Polytechnic harmless against claims arising from:

• your misuse of the Platform;
• violation of these Terms;
• infringement of third-party rights;
• unlawful conduct.

25. Force Majeure

Johannesburg Polytechnic shall not be liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, pandemics, labour disputes, cyber-attacks, power failures, internet outages or government actions.

26. Consumer Rights

Nothing in these Terms limits any rights available to consumers under the Consumer Protection Act, 68 of 2008, or any other mandatory South African legislation.

Where legislation provides greater protection, that legislation shall prevail.

27. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

The courts of South Africa shall have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes arising from these Terms.

28. Dispute Resolution

Before commencing legal proceedings, both parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes through good-faith negotiations.

If the dispute cannot be resolved within thirty (30) days, either party may refer the matter to mediation in South Africa before instituting court proceedings, unless urgent legal relief is required.

29. Changes to these Terms

Johannesburg Polytechnic may amend these Terms from time to time.

Material changes will be published on our website and will become effective on the date specified.

Continued use of the Platform after publication constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

30. Contact Information

Johannesburg Polytechnic (Pty) Ltd

Email: info@polytechnic.co.za

Website: https://www.polytechnic.co.za

Business Hours:

Monday to Friday

08:00 – 17:00 (SAST)

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use.