Last updated 16 July 2026
Terms of Service
1. About Sokoni
Sokoni ("we", "us") operates an online multi-vendor marketplace in South Africa at www.sokoni.co.za. We connect independent vendors with buyers. Sokoni is the platform operator; each product is sold by the vendor named on the product page unless clearly marked as sold by Sokoni.
Sokoni is not a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product sold to businesses. Shoppers buy physical and digital goods from marketplace sellers through our storefront.
2. Operator and contact
Sokoni Distribution Network (Pty) Ltd operates the marketplace in South Africa. See our Privacy Policy for operator and POPIA details.
- General support: support@sokoni.co.za
- Privacy and POPIA: privacy@sokoni.co.za
- Vendor onboarding: vendors@sokoni.co.za
3. Your account
You must create an account and sign in before checkout. Registration requires a valid email address, password, and email verification code. You may add and verify a cell phone number by SMS OTP in Account settings. You are responsible for keeping your login details secure and for all activity on your account. Provide accurate contact and delivery information.
Guest checkout is not available. This helps reduce fraud and gives you an order history and support trail.
4. Orders and payment
When you place an order, you offer to buy items at the displayed price (inclusive of VAT where applicable). You must accept these Terms at checkout. An order is confirmed only after successful payment.
4.1 Payment methods
- Paystack (primary): card and other methods Paystack supports in ZAR at checkout.
- Sokoni Savings Pocket (optional): closed-loop prepaid balance on your account. You may apply pocket credit toward part or all of an order, with any remainder paid via Paystack. See Savings Pocket Terms.
- Ozow and legacy providers may be offered where configured.
- SokoCoins (loyalty): promotional units that may reduce checkout when you redeem at checkout. Not the same as Savings Pocket. See SokoCoins Terms.
4.2 How payment flows
- You review your cart and enter delivery details while signed in.
- Sokoni creates a pending order and starts payment through Paystack (or applies pocket balance).
- You complete payment on Paystack's secure page.
- Paystack notifies Sokoni when payment succeeds. We mark the order paid, reduce vendor stock, and notify vendors to fulfil.
- Platform commission is calculated per product line. Vendor settlement amounts are recorded for payout to verified seller bank accounts on Sokoni's payout schedule.
Sokoni receives shopper payments as merchant of record for checkout. Vendors are paid after settlement, not at the moment you click pay. Prices and availability may change until payment completes.
5. Delivery and shipping
Delivery times depend on the vendor and courier. Live courier rates are quoted at checkout where available (via our logistics partner Bob Go). Shipping is charged separately from product prices and includes a Sokoni handling fee (currently 5%) on the carrier quote. Multi-vendor carts may ship in separate parcels. Risk passes to you on delivery to your nominated address.
6. Returns and refunds
Returns and refunds are governed by the Consumer Protection Act and our Returns & Refunds Policy. In summary: you may request a return from your order page when an order is shipped or delivered; our team reviews the request and support thread; approved refunds go to Paystack or your Savings Pocket as applicable.
7. Marketplace role and disputes
Sokoni facilitates transactions between buyers and vendors. Vendors are responsible for product descriptions, stock, packaging, and cooperating on returns for their items. Sokoni provides buyer support (chat and email), mediates disputes, and may suspend vendors who breach Vendor Terms.
There is no direct buyer-to-seller messaging on Sokoni. Use Support so we can assist with order-linked context.
8. Acceptable use (shoppers)
You may not:
- Use Sokoni for unlawful purchases or fraud.
- Abuse promotions, wallet top-ups, or return processes.
- Attempt to bypass payment, commission, or security controls.
- Harass staff, vendors, or other users via support channels.
Seller acceptable use and prohibited products are in Vendor Terms section 7.
9. Privacy
We process personal information under POPIA. See our Privacy Policy for details on data we collect, including phone verification and payment references.
10. Limitation of liability
To the extent permitted by law, Sokoni's liability is limited to the amount you paid for the relevant order. Nothing in these terms limits your statutory rights under the CPA.
11. Changes
We may update these terms. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance where permitted by law.