1. Introduction
MF Autobody Repairers (Pty) Ltd (“MF Autobody”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of our customers, employees, service providers, and stakeholders in accordance with the Constitution of South Africa and the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).
This Privacy Notice explains how we collect, process, store, and protect your personal information. It applies to all personal and special personal information collected by or provided to MF Autobody, whether in physical or electronic format.
By engaging with us or submitting personal information, you consent to the processing of your personal information as described herein. If you do not agree with any terms of this Privacy Notice, please refrain from submitting personal information. Kindly note that withholding consent may affect our ability to provide certain services.
2. What is Personal Information?
2.1 Personal information includes, but is not limited to:
- Full names and contact details (email, phone number, address)
- Identification or passport number
- Gender, age, nationality, marital status
- Employment history
- Educational background and qualifications
- Financial and insurance information
- Online identifiers (e.g. IP address, device data)
- Biometric information (e.g. facial recognition, fingerprints)
2.2 Special personal information may include:
- Race or ethnic origin (where legally required)
- Health or biometric data (for employment or services)
- Criminal behaviour or alleged offences (where necessary or required by law)
We only process special personal information with your explicit consent or where the law permits.
3. Purpose of this Privacy Notice
This Notice aims to:
- Explain the purposes for collecting and processing your personal information
- Set out how we use, share, and store your personal data
- Inform you of your rights under POPIA
- Describe how you can access, update, or delete your information
- Provide contact details for enquiries or complaints
4. Why We Process Your Personal Information
We process personal information to:
- Provide services and respond to service enquiries
- Fulfil contractual and legal obligations
- Verify identity and conduct due diligence
- Perform customer onboarding and claims handling
- Communicate about products, services, or appointments
- Improve our operations, systems, and service quality
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and tax requirements
- Compile statistical reports or conduct market research (in de-identified form)
Direct Marketing and Opt-Out
We may occasionally send direct marketing communications related to our services. You may opt out at any time by emailing bella@mfautobody.com. Upon request, we will remove your personal information from our mailing lists in compliance with POPIA.
5. How We Collect Your Information
We collect personal information:
5.1 Directly from you, when you:
- Complete forms or submit applications
- Provide supporting documentation (e.g. ID, proof of address)
- Communicate with us via email, phone, or in person
- Enter into an agreement or contract
5.2 Automatically, when you:
- Visit our website (via cookies or analytics tools)
- Use our digital platforms or client portals
5.3 From third parties, such as:
- Insurance companies or brokers
- Public records and government databases
- Authorised service providers
6. Lawful Basis for Processing
We process personal information based on:
- Your voluntary and informed consent
- The performance of a contract or to take steps prior to entering a contract
- Compliance with legal or regulatory obligations
- The protection of legitimate interests (ours or yours)
- Processing by authorised third parties acting on our behalf
7. Your Rights Under POPIA
As a data subject, you have the right to:
- Access the personal information we hold about you
- Request correction, updating, or deletion of inaccurate or outdated information
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent (unless prohibited by law)
- Object to certain processing activities
- Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa
To exercise any of your rights, contact our Information Officer as detailed in Section 13.
8. Sharing of Personal Information
We may share your personal information with:
- MF Autobody’s subsidiaries and affiliated entities
- Third-party service providers or contractors assisting in service delivery (e.g. IT, HR, legal, accounting)
- Insurers, assessors, and brokers as required
- Regulatory or law enforcement authorities, if legally required
All third parties are subject to strict confidentiality obligations and POPIA-compliant data protection measures.
9. Security of Personal Information
We take appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard personal information, including:
- Secure storage with password protection and access control
- Physical security for on-site records
- Regular risk assessments and monitoring
- Limiting access to authorised personnel only
10. Retention of Personal Information
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to:
- Fulfil the purposes described in this Privacy Notice
- Comply with legal or contractual obligations
- Support internal reporting and auditing needs
- Once no longer needed, personal information is securely deleted or de-identified.
11. Processing of Children’s Information
We only process personal information of minors with the consent of a competent person (e.g. parent or legal guardian) or where legally permitted.
12. Transfers Outside South Africa
MF Autobody does not currently transfer personal information outside South Africa. Should such transfers become necessary in the future, we will ensure that the receiving party is subject to laws or agreements offering adequate data protection in accordance with POPIA.
13. Complaints and Contact Details
Should you have any concerns or queries about this Notice or your personal information, you are encouraged to contact our Information Officer:
Information Officer: Armando Figueiredo
Position: Executive Director
Tel: 0861 63 2886
Email: armando@mfautobody.com
Physical Address: 38 North Road, Hughes, Boksburg
Website: www.mfautobody.com
If your complaint remains unresolved, you may contact the Information Regulator:
Email: complaints.IR@justice.gov.za
Website: https://www.justice.gov.za/inforeg
14. Updates to This Privacy Notice
We may update this Privacy Notice periodically. Any changes will be published on our website. Please review it regularly to stay informed of any updates.