LAST UPDATED: October 2026

1. INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

As an independent sales agent (“Agent”) operating on the Zonke platform across South Africa, you serve as a vital bridge between third-party wholesalers and retail buyers. Because Agents operate as independent micro-entrepreneurs rather than employees of Zonke, maintaining high standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct is essential to protecting the reputation of the Zonke ecosystem, building trust in the South African marketplace, and fostering sustainable business growth.

2. CORE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

2.1 Professional Integrity and Honesty

  • Truthful Representation: Agents must accurately represent products, pricing, minimum order quantities, delivery timelines, and terms set by the supplying Wholesalers.
  • No Misrepresentation: Agents shall not engage in deceptive marketing, false advertising, or make unauthorized guarantees regarding product performance, warranties, or return policies.
  • Transparent Pricing: All price quotes, commissions, and fees must be transparently communicated. Price gouging or unauthorized markups outside agreed wholesale pricing frameworks are strictly prohibited.

2.2 Compliance with South African Law

  • Legal Adherence: Agents must comply with all applicable South African legislation, including the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act (ECTA), and the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
  • Anti-Corruption and Bribery: Agents shall not engage in bribery, kickbacks, or corrupt practices when securing orders from retailers, spaza shop owners, corporate clients, or wholesalers.

3. RELATIONSHIP WITH WHOLSALERS AND BUYERS

3.1 Independent Status Clarification

  • No Employment Claims: Agents must clearly understand and communicate that they are independent contractors partnering with Zonke and the respective Wholesaler, and are not employees, legal representatives, or agents of Zonke.
  • No Authority to Bind: Agents have no authority to legally bind Zonke or Wholesalers to contracts, financial liabilities, or operational commitments unless explicitly authorized in writing by the respective Wholesaler.

3.2 Fair Dealing and Customer Service

  • Respectful Conduct: Agents must treat all buyers, merchants, and wholesaler representatives with professional respect and courtesy, free from discrimination based on race, gender, language, religion, or background.
  • Order Integrity: Agents must promptly submit orders through the Zonke platform and ensure that buyer information, delivery addresses, and order specifications are accurately recorded.

4. DATA PRIVACY AND POPIA COMPLIANCE

  • Handling Personal Information: In accordance with POPIA, any personal data collected from buyers or merchants (such as phone numbers, delivery addresses, or business registration details) must be handled with strict confidentiality.
  • Prohibited Use: Agents shall not use buyer contact information for unauthorized marketing campaigns, sell customer lists, or retain personal data longer than necessary to facilitate legitimate Zonke transactions.

5. PROHIBITED CONDUCT AND VIOLATIONS

The following actions constitute severe violations of this Code of Conduct and may result in immediate suspension or permanent termination of access to the Zonke platform:

  • Misappropriating funds, collecting cash payments outside authorized secure channels without wholesaler approval, or failing to report transactions accurately.
  • Impersonating Zonke corporate representatives or making unauthorized statements on behalf of the platform.
  • Engaging in fraudulent orders, artificial inflation of sales metrics, or collusion with buyers to manipulate commission payouts.
  • Distributing counterfeit, substandard, or illegal goods under the guise of Zonke-featured wholesalers.

6. REPORTING AND ENFORCEMENT

  • Reporting Violations: Agents are encouraged to report unethical behavior, policy breaches, or suspicious activities through the Zonke support portal.
  • Disciplinary Actions: Zonke reserves the right to investigate reported breaches and, at its sole discretion, suspend accounts, withhold disputed commissions pending investigation, or ban non-compliant agents from the platform.

GOVERNING LAW

This Code of Conduct shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.