Terms and Conditions of Use
eThekwini Municipality Telemetry Data Portal — “eThekwini Data Feeds”
Website: https://data.ethekwinifews.durban/
1. Introduction
Welcome to the eThekwini Municipality Telemetry Data Portal (“the Portal”). These Terms and Conditions govern access to and use of the Portal, including telemetry data, camera feeds, dashboards, downloads, APIs, and associated services provided by eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (“the Municipality”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).
By accessing or using this Portal, you agree to comply with and be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree, you must discontinue use of the Portal immediately.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of these Terms:
- Portal means the telemetry website, dashboards, APIs, applications, and associated services.
- Telemetry Data includes rainfall data, river and level gauge data, tide information, weather observations, camera feeds, alerts, historical records, and related datasets.
- API means the Application Programming Interface provided for automated access to data.
- User means any person or organisation accessing or using the Portal.
- Content includes all data, text, graphics, maps, imagery, video feeds, reports, and downloadable material available through the Portal.
3. Purpose of the Portal
The Portal is intended to provide public access to environmental and telemetry information for informational, educational, research, planning, and situational awareness purposes.
The Portal does not constitute an official emergency warning system unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Users must not rely solely on the Portal for emergency response, safety-critical decisions, navigation, or protection of life or property.
4. Availability of Services
The Municipality aims to provide continuous and accurate services; however:
- The Portal and API are provided on an “as available” and “as is” basis.
- We do not guarantee uninterrupted availability.
- Data transmission, sensor failures, maintenance, power outages, communication failures, or environmental factors may affect accuracy and availability.
- The Municipality reserves the right to suspend, modify, restrict, or discontinue any part of the Portal or API without notice.
5. Accuracy and Reliability of Data
Telemetry Data is generated from automated instruments and external systems and may contain inaccuracies, delays, interruptions, omissions, or errors.
The Municipality:
- Makes no warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, reliability, or suitability of the data;
- Shall not be liable for decisions made based on the data;
- Does not guarantee real-time performance or continuous updates.
Users are responsible for independently verifying information before relying on it.
6. Acceptable Use
Users agree to use the Portal lawfully and responsibly.
Users may not:
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to systems or infrastructure;
- Interfere with Portal operations or security;
- Introduce malware, malicious code, or automated attacks;
- Misuse, overload, scrape, or disrupt API services;
- Use the Portal for unlawful, fraudulent, or harmful purposes;
- Redistribute data in a misleading or deceptive manner;
- Remove or alter ownership, attribution, or copyright notices.
7. API Access and Usage
7.1 API Availability
The Municipality may provide API access for registered users.
API access may include:
- Authentication requirements;
- API keys;
- Rate limits;
- Access restrictions;
- Usage quotas.
The Municipality reserves the right to revoke or suspend API access at any time.
7.2 API Restrictions
Users may not:
- Share API credentials with unauthorised parties;
- Circumvent rate limits or security controls;
- Use automated systems that negatively impact service performance;
- Resell API access without written permission.
7.3 API Changes
The Municipality may modify API endpoints, structures, authentication methods, or available datasets without prior notice.
8. Camera Feeds and Imagery
Camera feeds are provided for general situational awareness only.
Users acknowledge that:
- Camera feeds may be delayed, unavailable, obscured, or interrupted;
- Environmental conditions may affect visibility and image quality;
- Feeds must not be used for surveillance, unlawful monitoring, or privacy-invasive activities.
The Municipality reserves the right to disable or restrict camera feeds at its discretion.
9. Intellectual Property
Unless otherwise stated, all Portal content, software, branding, graphics, maps, and datasets remain the property of eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality or its licensors.
Users may:
- View and use data for lawful purposes;
- Use data for research, education, and non-commercial purposes;
- Reference data with proper attribution.
Users may not:
- Claim ownership of Municipality data;
- Sell or commercially exploit data without written permission;
- Misrepresent the source or integrity of the data.
Recommended attribution:
“Source: eThekwini Municipality Data Feeds Portal”
10. Privacy and Data Protection
The Municipality may collect limited technical and user information, including:
- IP addresses;
- Browser information;
- Access logs;
- API usage statistics;
- User registration information.
This information may be used for:
- Security monitoring;
- Service improvement;
- Usage analytics;
- System administration.
The Municipality will process personal information in accordance with applicable South African data protection legislation, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
11. Third-Party Services and Links
The Portal may contain links to third-party services, maps, weather providers, or external systems.
The Municipality:
- Does not endorse third-party content;
- Is not responsible for external services or websites;
- Makes no warranties regarding third-party information.
12. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the User hereby releases and discharges eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, its affiliates, employees, officials, contractors, agents, and service providers from any and all claims, damages, causes of action, liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses arising from or connected with:
- Access to or use of the Portal, API, camera feeds, or telemetry data;
- The accuracy, reliability, completeness, availability, or timeliness of data;
- Interruptions, delays, omissions, errors, or system failures;
- Reliance placed on any data or information obtained through the Portal.
The Municipality shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, punitive, or special damages, including but not limited to financial loss, loss of profits, business interruption, loss of data, or damages arising from reliance on telemetry data or API services, whether arising in contract, delict (including negligence), warranty, strict liability, or otherwise, and irrespective of fault, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The User acknowledges that telemetry data and related information may contain inaccuracies, delays, omissions, interruptions, or errors. The User shall not be entitled to institute any legal proceedings or claims of any nature whatsoever against eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality arising out of or in connection with the use of the Portal or the data provided therein.
All use of the Portal, APIs, camera feeds, and associated data is entirely at the User’s own risk.
13. Indemnity
Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, its affiliates, employees, officials, contractors, agents, and service providers against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from:
- Misuse of the Portal;
- Violation of these Terms;
- Unlawful use of data or APIs;
- Any act or omission by the User in connection with the use, disclosure, distribution, republication, or sharing of data obtained from the Portal or API.
The Municipality accepts no liability to any third party to whom the User discloses, distributes, republishes, or otherwise makes available any data or information obtained from the Portal or API, whether with or without the Municipality’s express written consent.
The User indemnifies and holds harmless eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from or connected with the disclosure, redistribution, or use of such data or information by any third party.
14. Suspension and Termination
The Municipality reserves the right to:
- Suspend or terminate user accounts;
- Revoke API access;
- Restrict access to services;
- Block abusive or suspicious activity.
This may occur without prior notice.
15. Amendments
The Municipality may amend these Terms and Conditions at any time.
Updated Terms will be published on the Portal and become effective upon publication.
Continued use of the Portal constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
16. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
Any disputes arising from use of the Portal shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.
17. Contact Information
For queries regarding the Portal, API access, or these Terms and Conditions, please contact:
eThekwini Municipality
Roads Infrastructure Management
Coastal, Stormwater & Catchment Management Department
Engineering Services and Records (ESR)
Mr Gerrard Smith — gerrard.smith@durban.gov.za
Senior Manager ESR
Or
Mr Kiyash Sha — kiyash.sha@durban.gov.za
Forecast Early Warning Systems (FEWS) Team Lead
Disclaimer
Telemetry data, camera feeds, rainfall information, level gauge data, tide data, and all related information available through this Portal are provided by eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality for general informational and situational awareness purposes only.
While reasonable efforts are made to ensure the availability and accuracy of the information provided, the Municipality makes no representations or warranties, whether express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, reliability, availability, or timeliness of any data or services made available through this Portal or associated APIs.
Data may contain inaccuracies, delays, interruptions, omissions, or errors due to equipment failure, communication interruptions, maintenance activities, environmental conditions, or other factors beyond the Municipality’s control.
Use of this Portal, associated APIs, and all telemetry data is entirely at the User’s own risk. The Municipality accepts no liability for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, or special loss or damage arising from the use of, reliance on, or inability to access the Portal or its data.
By accessing or using this Portal and/or API services, you acknowledge and agree to the applicable Terms and Conditions of Use.
