Version 2026-07-27 · Last updated 27 July 2026
These Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your use of Swapa, a barter marketplace operated by HWS (Pty) Ltd (“Swapa”, “we”, “us”, “our”), a company registered in the Republic of Botswana. By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use Swapa.
1. Who we are
Swapa is operated by HWS (Pty) Ltd, registration number BW00001724176. You can reach us at support@swapa.today.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into a binding agreement to use Swapa. By using the Service, you confirm that you meet these requirements and that the information you provide is true and your own.
3. Your account
You sign in with your mobile number, which we verify by SMS. You are responsible for keeping your account secure and for all activity that happens under it. Do not share your credentials, and tell us promptly at support@swapa.today if you suspect unauthorised use. We may require one account per person and may refuse, suspend, or remove accounts to protect the community.
4. What Swapa is — and is not
Swapa is a venue that lets users find one another and arrange to swap items directly. Swapa is not a party to any swap, does not take ownership of items, does not guarantee any item’s quality, legality, safety, or description, and does not guarantee that any swap will be completed. Swaps are arranged and carried out between users at their own risk. Swapa is a barter platform and does not facilitate cash sales of listed items.
5. Your content and listings
You keep ownership of the content you post (listings, photos, messages). By posting, you grant Swapa a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to host, display, and distribute that content as needed to operate and promote the Service. You are responsible for your content and confirm that you have the right to post it, that it is accurate, and that it does not infringe anyone’s rights or break the law.
6. Prohibited items and conduct
You must not list, offer, or exchange anything that is illegal or unsafe, and you must not misuse the Service. Prohibited items and conduct include, without limitation:
- stolen, counterfeit, or fraudulently obtained goods;
- weapons, ammunition, explosives, or controlled/illegal drugs;
- live animals or protected wildlife products where prohibited by law;
- items you do not own or have no right to exchange;
- harassment, threats, hate speech, or sharing others’ personal data without consent;
- fraud, impersonation, spam, or attempts to move payment or contact off-platform to deceive;
- scraping, hacking, overloading, or interfering with the Service or its security.
7. Swaps, ratings, and safety
You are solely responsible for your dealings with other users, including agreeing terms, meeting, inspecting items, and completing swaps. We encourage you to meet in safe public places and to verify items before exchanging. Ratings and reputation reflect user feedback and are provided as-is; you agree to use them honestly and not to manipulate them. Swapa is not responsible for the conduct of any user or the outcome of any swap.
8. Boosts and payments
You may choose to pay to “boost” an offer for greater visibility. Fees are shown before you pay and are processed by our payment provider. Except where required by law, boost fees are non-refundable once the boost is active. You are responsible for any taxes that apply to you.
9. Moderation and enforcement
To keep Swapa safe, we may review, screen (including by automated tools), refuse, hide, or remove content, and we may warn, suspend, or terminate accounts that break these Terms or the law. Where practical we will act proportionately, but we may act immediately where there is a risk to users or the Service.
10. Intellectual property
The Swapa name, logo, and the software and design of the Service are owned by HWS (Pty) Ltd or its licensors and are protected by law. You may not copy, modify, or use them except as allowed by these Terms or with our written permission.
11. Disclaimers
The Service is provided “as is” and “as available”, without warranties of any kind to the fullest extent permitted by law. We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that any listing, user, or swap is genuine, safe, or lawful.
12. Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Swapa and HWS (Pty) Ltd will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss, or for loss arising from swaps between users, the conduct of any user, or content posted by users. Nothing in these Terms excludes any liability that cannot be excluded under Botswana law.
13. Indemnity
You agree to indemnify and hold Swapa and HWS (Pty) Ltd harmless from claims, losses, and costs arising out of your content, your use of the Service, your swaps with other users, or your breach of these Terms or the law.
14. Privacy
Our handling of your personal information is described in our Privacy & Data Protection notice, which forms part of these Terms.
15. Suspension and termination
You may stop using Swapa and ask us to close your account at any time. We may suspend or terminate your access if you breach these Terms, if required by law, or to protect the Service or its users. Some provisions — including those on content licence, disclaimers, liability, and governing law — survive termination.
16. Governing law and disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Botswana. You agree to first raise any dispute with us at support@swapa.today so we can try to resolve it in good faith. Disputes that cannot be resolved are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Botswana.
17. Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. We will post the updated version here and change the “Last updated” date. Your continued use of Swapa after changes take effect means you accept the updated Terms.
