Privacy Policy

Our Commitment to Your Privacy

Hi-Tech Engineering (Pty) Ltd ("Hi-Tech Engineering", "we", "us" or "our") is committed to protecting your personal information and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPI Act) and applicable South African law.

This policy applies to all personal information collected through our website at hitechengineering.co.za, via email, telephone, on-site visits, or through any other interaction with Hi-Tech Engineering.

Who We Are

Hi-Tech Engineering is a South African engineering company providing HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, boiler making, design, and related services across the Free State, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and Lesotho.

Personal Information We Collect

We may collect the following categories of personal information:

• Identity information: Full name, job title, company name
• Contact information: Email address, telephone number, physical or postal address
• Communication records: Enquiries, quotes requested, service correspondence, and support interactions
• Technical information: IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on our website (collected via cookies)
• Contractual information: Service agreements, purchase orders, project details, and invoices
• Financial information: Banking details required for billing purposes (only where necessary and with your consent)

We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18 without parental or guardian consent.

How We Use Your Personal Information

We process your personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• Responding to enquiries, quote requests, or service calls
• Entering into and performing service contracts and agreements
• Scheduling and carrying out maintenance, installation, or repair work
• Sending invoices, statements, and related financial communications
• Providing after-hours emergency support and follow-up service
• Complying with statutory, regulatory, and legal obligations
• Improving our website and services through analytics
• Sending relevant industry updates or service notifications (where consent has been obtained)

We will not process your personal information for purposes incompatible with those listed above without your prior consent.

Legal Basis for Processing

Under the POPI Act, we process your personal information on the following lawful grounds:

• Contractual necessity: Processing required to fulfil a contract with you or to take steps at your request prior to entering a contract
• Legitimate interests: Processing necessary for our legitimate business interests, such as managing client relationships, ensuring site security, and improving services
• Legal obligation: Processing required to comply with applicable South African law
• Consent: Where you have provided explicit consent, such as for marketing communications

Sharing of Personal Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

• Service providers: Third-party suppliers and subcontractors who assist in delivering our services (bound by confidentiality and data processing agreements)
• Professional advisors: Accountants, auditors, lawyers, and insurers where necessary
• Regulatory bodies: Government departments, CIDB, ECA, or other regulatory bodies as required by law
• Business transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or part of our business

All third parties with whom we share information are required to maintain appropriate security standards consistent with the POPI Act.

Cookies and Website Tracking

Our website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are small text files placed on your device. We use:

• Essential cookies: Necessary for the website to function correctly
• Analytics cookies: To understand how visitors use our site (e.g. pages visited, time on site)
• Preference cookies: To remember your settings and preferences

You may decline non-essential cookies via the cookie banner on our website or by adjusting your browser settings. Declining cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Retention of Personal Information

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. Typical retention periods include:

• Client and contractual records: 5 years after the conclusion of the business relationship (as required by South African commercial law)
• Financial and tax records: 5 years as required by the South African Revenue Service (SARS)
• Website enquiries and correspondence: 3 years
• Employee records: Duration of employment plus such period as required by labour legislation

Once personal information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.

Security of Your Information

Hi-Tech Engineering implements reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against loss, theft, unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use, or modification. These measures include:

• Secure, password-protected systems and restricted access to personal information
• Encrypted communication where feasible
• Regular review of information collection, storage, and processing practices
• Staff awareness of privacy obligations under the POPI Act

While we take all reasonable steps to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but will notify you and the Information Regulator in the event of a security compromise as required by the POPI Act.

Your Rights Under the POPI Act

As a data subject under the POPI Act, you have the following rights:

• Right to be informed about the collection of your personal information
• Right to access the personal information we hold about you
• Right to request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Right to request deletion or destruction of your personal information
• Right to object to the processing of your personal information
• Right to object to direct marketing using your personal information
• Right to withdraw consent at any time (where processing is based on consent)
• Right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer at support@hitechengineering.co.za. We will respond within a reasonable time and no later than required by the POPI Act.

The Information Regulator

You have the right to lodge a complaint with South Africa's Information Regulator if you believe your personal information has been processed in violation of the POPI Act:

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational needs. The updated policy will be posted on our website with a revised effective date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

Continued use of our website or services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact Us

For any privacy-related queries, requests, or complaints, please contact our Information Officer: