PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 constituteproject.org South Africa's Constitution of 1996 with Amendments through 2012 This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the Comparative Constitutions Project, and distributed on constituteproject.org. constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 Table of contents Preamble ..............................................................................7 CHAPTER 1. FOUNDING PROVISIONS ................................................ 7 1. Republic of South Africa ................................................................ 7 2. Supremacy of Constitution ..............................................................7 3. Citizenship ...........................................................................8 4. National anthem ......................................................................8 5. National �ag ......................................................................... 8 6. Languages ...........................................................................8 CHAPTER 2. BILL OF RIGHTS .......................................................... 8 7. Rights ...............................................................................9 8. Application ...........................................................................9 9. Equality .............................................................................9 10. Human dignity .......................................................................9 11. Life ................................................................................9 12. Freedom and security of the person ......................................................9 13. Slavery, servitude and forced labour .................................................... 10 14. Privacy ........................................................................... 10 15. Freedom of religion, belief and opinion ...................................................10 16. Freedom of expression ...............................................................10 17. Assembly, demonstration picket and petition ............................................. 11 18. Freedom of association ...............................................................11 19. Political rights ......................................................................11 20. Citizenship ........................................................................ 11 21. Freedom of movement and residence ................................................... 11 22. Freedom of trade, occupation and profession ............................................. 11 23. Labour relations .................................................................... 11 24. Environment .......................................................................12 25. Property .......................................................................... 12 26. Housing ...........................................................................12 27. Health care, food, water and social security .............................................. 13 28. Children ...........................................................................13 29. Education ......................................................................... 13 30. Language and culture ................................................................14 31. Cultural, religious and linguistic communities ............................................. 14 32. Access to information ................................................................14 33. Just administrative action ............................................................ 14 34. Access to courts ....................................................................14 35. Arrested, detained and accused persons .................................................14 36. Limitation of rights ..................................................................15 37. States of emergency .................................................................16 38. Enforcement of rights ................................................................19 39. Interpretation of Bill of Rights ......................................................... 19 CHAPTER 3. CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNMENT ........................................ 19 40. Government of the Republic ...........................................................19 41. Principles of co-operative government and intergovernmental relations ........................20 CHAPTER 4. PARLIAMENT ........................................................... 20 South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 2 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 42. Composition of Parliament ............................................................20 43. Legislative authority of the Republic .................................................... 21 44. National legislative authority ..........................................................21 45. Joint rules and orders and joint committees .............................................. 21 Part A. The National Assembly ........................................................... 22 Part B. National Council of Provinces .......................................................25 Part C. National Legislative Process ....................................................... 28 CHAPTER 5. THE PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ...........................33 83. The President ......................................................................33 84. Powers and functions of President ......................................................33 85. Executive authority of the Republic .....................................................33 86. Election of President .................................................................34 87. Assumption of of�ce by President ...................................................... 34 88. Term of of�ce of President ............................................................34 89. Removal of President ................................................................34 90. Acting President ....................................................................34 91. Cabinet ...........................................................................35 92. Accountability and responsibilities ......................................................35 93. Deputy Ministers ................................................................... 35 94. Continuation of Cabinet offer elections ..................................................35 95. Oath or af�rmation ..................................................................35 96. Conduct of Cabinet members and Deputy Ministers ....................................... 35 97. Transfer of functions .................................................................36 98. Temporary assignment of functions .....................................................36 99. Assignment of functions ..............................................................36 100. National intervention in provincial administration ........................................ 36 101. Executive decisions ................................................................ 36 102. Motions of no con�dence ............................................................37 CHAPTER 6. PROVINCES .............................................................37 103. Provinces ........................................................................ 37 Part A. Provincial Legislatures ............................................................37 Part B. Provincial Executives ............................................................. 42 Part C. Provincial Constitutions ...........................................................47 Part D. Con�icting Laws .................................................................47 CHAPTER 7. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ..................................................49 151. Status of municipalities ............................................................. 49 152. Objects of local government ......................................................... 49 153. Developmental duties of municipalities .................................................49 154. Municipalities in co-operative government ..............................................49 155. Establishment of municipalities .......................................................50 156. Powers and functions of municipalities ................................................. 50 157. Composition and election of Municipal Councils .......................................... 51 158. Membership of Municipal Councils .................................................... 51 159. Terms of Municipal Councils ..........................................................52 160. Internal procedures ................................................................ 52 161. Privilege ......................................................................... 53 162. Publication of municipal by-laws ...................................................... 53 163. Organised local government ......................................................... 53 164. Other matters .................................................................... 53 South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 3 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 CHAPTER 8. COURTS AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE .......................... 53 165. Judicial authority .................................................................. 53 166. Judicial system ....................................................................54 167. Constitutional Court ................................................................54 168. Supreme Court of Appeal ............................................................54 169. High Court of South Africa ...........................................................55 170. Other courts ......................................................................55 171. Court procedures ..................................................................55 172. Powers of courts in constitutional matters .............................................. 55 173. Inherent power ....................................................................56 174. Appointment of judicial of�cers ....................................................... 56 175. Appointment of acting judges ........................................................ 57 176. Terms of of�ce and remuneration ..................................................... 57 177. Removal ......................................................................... 57 178. Judicial Service Commission ......................................................... 57 179. Prosecuting authority ...............................................................58 180. Other matters concerning administration of justice ....................................... 59 CHAPTER 9. STATE INSTITUTIONS SUPPORTING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY . 59 181. Establishment and governing principles ................................................ 59 Part A. Public Protector ................................................................. 59 Part B. South African Human Rights Commission ............................................. 60 Part C. Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities ..........................................................................60 Part D. Commission for Gender Equality ....................................................61 Part E. Auditor-General ................................................................. 61 Part F. Electoral Commission ............................................................. 61 Part G. Independent Authority to Regulate Broadcasting .......................................62 Part H. General Provisions ...............................................................62 CHAPTER 10. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ............................................ 63 195. Basic values and principles governing public administration .................................63 196. Public Service Commission ...........................................................63 197. Public Service .....................................................................65 CHAPTER 11. SECURITY SERVICES ...................................................65 198. Governing principles ................................................................65 199. Establishment, structuring and conduct of security services ................................ 65 Part A. Defence ........................................................................66 Part B. Police ..........................................................................66 Part C. Intelligence .....................................................................68 CHAPTER 12. TRADITIONAL LEADERS ...............................................68 211. Recognition .......................................................................68 212. Role of traditional leaders ........................................................... 68 CHAPTER 13. FINANCE .............................................................. 69 Part A. General Financial Matters ......................................................... 69 Part B. Financial and Fiscal Commission .....................................................71 Part C. Central Bank ....................................................................72 Part D. Provincial and Local Financial Matters ............................................... 72 CHAPTER 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................................74 Part A. International Law ................................................................74 South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 4 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 Part B. Other Matters ...................................................................74 Schedule 1. NATIONAL FLAG ......................................................... 76 Schedule 1A. GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OF PROVINCES ............................... 76 Schedule 2. OATHS AND SOLEMN AFFIRMATIONS ................................... 78 1. Oath or solemn af�rmation of President and Acting President .................................78 2. Oath or solemn af�rmation of Deputy President ............................................79 3. Oath or solemn af�rmation of Ministers and Deputy Ministers ................................ 79 4. Oath or solemn af�rmation of members of the National Assembly, permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces and members of the provincial legislatures ..........................79 5. Oath or solemn af�rmation of Premiers, Acting Premiers and members of provincial Executive Councils ..............................................................................80 6. Oath or solemn af�rmation of Judicial Of�cers ............................................. 80 Schedule 3. ELECTION PROCEDURES .................................................80 Part A. Election procedures for constitutional of�ce-bearers .................................... 80 Part B. Formula to determine party participation in provincial delegations to the National Council of Provinces .............................................................................82 Schedule 4. FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF CONCURRENT NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL LEGISLATIVE COMPETENCE .........................................................82 PART A .............................................................................. 82 PART B .............................................................................. 83 Schedule 5. FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF EXCLUSIVE PROVINCIAL LEGISLATIVE COMPETENCE .......................................................................84 PART A .............................................................................. 84 PART B .............................................................................. 84 Schedule 6. TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ........................................85 1. De�nitions ..........................................................................85 2. Continuation of existing law ............................................................86 3. Interpretation of existing legislation ..................................................... 86 4. National Assembly ................................................................... 86 5. Un�nished business before Parliament ................................................... 87 6. Elections of National Assembly ......................................................... 87 7. National Council of Provinces ...........................................................87 8. Former senators .....................................................................88 9. National executive ................................................................... 88 10. Provincial legislatures ................................................................89 11. Elections of provincial legislatures ......................................................89 12. Provincial executives ................................................................ 89 13. Provincial constitutions .............................................................. 89 14. Assignment of legislation to provinces ...................................................89 15. Existing legislation outside Parliament’s legislative power ...................................90 16. Courts ............................................................................90 17. Cases pending before courts .......................................................... 92 18. Prosecuting authority ................................................................92 19. Oaths and af�rmations ...............................................................92 20. Other constitutional institutions ....................................................... 92 21. Enactment of legislation required by new Constitution ......................................93 22. National unity and reconciliation ....................................................... 93 23. Bill of Rights ....................................................................... 93 24. Public administration and security services ...............................................94 South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 5 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 26. Local government ...................................................................94 27. Safekeeping of Acts of Parliament and provincial Acts ......................................95 28. Registration of immovable property owned by the state .................................... 95 ANNEXURE A. AMENDMENTS TO SCHEDULE 2 TO THE PREVIOUS CONSTITUTION ............. 95 ANNEXURE B. GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY: NATIONAL SPHERE .......................97 ANNEXURE C. GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY: PROVINCIAL SPHERE ....................101 ANNEXURE D. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SECURITY SERVICES: AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS OF THE PREVIOUS CONSTITUTION ............................................103 Schedule 6A .........................................................................104 Schedule 6B .........................................................................104 Schedule 7. LAWS REPEALED ........................................................104 South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 6 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 Source of constitutional authority Preamble Preamble We, the people of South Africa, Reference to country's history Recognise the injustices of our past; Reference to country's history Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom in our land; Reference to country's history Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country; and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in our diversity. Motives for writing constitution We therefore, through our freely elected representatives, adopt this Constitution as the supreme law of the Republic so as to Reference to country's history Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights; General guarantee of equality Lay the foundations for a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law; Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the potential of each person; and Type of government envisioned Build a united and democratic South Africa able to take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the family of nations. God or other deities May God protect our people. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso. God or other deities God seën Suid-Afrika. God bless South Africa. Mudzimu fhatutshedza Afurika. Hosi katekisa Afrika. CHAPTER 1. FOUNDING PROVISIONS Type of government envisioned 1. Republic of South Africa The Republic of South Africa is one, sovereign, democratic state founded on the following values: a. Human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human Human dignity rights and freedoms. b. Non-racialism and non-sexism. Equality regardless of race Equality regardless of gender c. Supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law. d. Universal adult suffrage, a national common voters roll, regular elections and a Claim of universal suffrage multiparty system of democratic government, to ensure accountability, responsiveness and openness. 2. Supremacy of Constitution This Constitution is the supreme law of the Republic; law or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid, and the obligations imposed by it must be ful�lled. South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 7 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 3. Citizenship 1. There is a common South African citizenship. 2. All citizens are- a. equally entitled to the rights, privileges and bene�ts of citizenship; and b. equally subject to the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. 3. National legislation must provide for the acquisition, loss and restoration of Requirements for naturalization citizenship. Conditions for revoking citizenship Requirements for birthright citizenship National anthem 4. National anthem The national anthem of the Republic is determined by the President by proclamation. National �ag 5. National �ag The national �ag of the Republic is black, gold, green, white, red and blue, as described and sketched in Schedule 1. Of�cial or national languages 6. Languages 1. The of�cial languages of the Republic are Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa and isiZulu. 2. Recognising the historically diminished use and status of the indigenous Protection of language use languages of our people, the state must take practical and positive measures to elevate the status and advance the use of these languages. 3 a. The national government and provincial governments may use any Of�cial or national languages particular of�cial languages for the purposes of government, taking into account usage, practicality, expense, regional circumstances and the balance of the needs and preferences of the population as a whole or in the province concerned; but the national government and each provincial government must use at least two of�cial languages. b. Municipalities must take into account the language usage and preferences Of�cial or national languages of their residents. 4. The national government and provincial governments, by legislative and other Of�cial or national languages measures, must regulate and monitor their use of of�cial languages. Without detracting from the provisions of subsection (2), all of�cial languages must enjoy parity of esteem and must be treated equitably. 5. A Pan South African Language Board established by national legislation must- Protection of language use a. promote, and create conditions for, the development and use of- i. all of�cial languages; ii. the Khoi, Nama and San languages; and iii. sign language; and b. promote and ensure respect for- i. all languages commonly used by communities in South Africa, including German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Portuguese, Tamil, Telegu and Urdu; and ii. Arabic, Hebrew, Sanskrit and other languages used for religious purposes in South Africa. CHAPTER 2. BILL OF RIGHTS South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 8 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 7. Rights 1. This Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa. It enshrines the Human dignity rights of all people in our country and af�rms the democratic values of human dignity, equality and freedom. 2. The state must respect, protect, promote and ful�l the rights in the Bill of Rights. 3. The rights in the Bill of Rights are subject to the limitations contained or referred to in section 36, or elsewhere in the Bill. Binding effect of const rights 8. Application 1. The Bill of Rights applies to all law, and binds the legislature, the executive, the judiciary and all organs of state. 2. A provision of the Bill of Rights binds a natural or a juristic person if, and to the extent that, it is applicable, taking into account the nature of the right and the nature of any duty imposed by the right. 3. When applying a provision of the Bill of Rights to a natural or juristic person in terms of subsection (2), a court- a. in order to give effect to a right in the Bill, must apply, or if necessary develop, the common law to the extent that legislation does not give effect to that right; and b. may develop rules of the common law to limit the right, provided that the limitation is in accordance with section 36 (1). 4. A juristic person is entitled to the rights in the Bill of Rights to the extent required by the nature of the rights and the nature of that juristic person. 9. Equality 1. Everyone is equal before the law and has the right to equal protection and General guarantee of equality bene�t of the law. 2. Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms. To General guarantee of equality promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken. 3. The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on Equality regardless of gender one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, Equality regardless of parentage ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, Equality regardless of skin color conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. Equality regardless of creed or belief Equality regardless of language 4. No person may unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one Equality regardless of race or more grounds in terms of subsection (3). National legislation must be enacted Equality regardless of sexual orientation Equality regardless of religion to prevent or prohibit unfair discrimination. Equality for persons with disabilities 5. Discrimination on one or more of the grounds listed in subsection (3) is unfair Equality regardless of age unless it is established that the discrimination is fair. Equality regardless of social status Human dignity 10. Human dignity Everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. Right to life 11. Life Everyone has the right to life. 12. Freedom and security of the person 1. Everyone has the right to freedom and security of the person, which includes the right- a. not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause; Protection from unjusti�ed restraint b. not to be detained without trial; Protection from unjusti�ed restraint c. to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources; South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 9 constituteproject.org PDF generated: 27 Apr 2022, 11:02 1. d. not to be tortured in any way; and Prohibition of torture e. not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way. Prohibition of cruel treatment 2. Everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the right- a. to make decisions concerning reproduction; Right to found a family b. to security in and control over their body; and c. not to be subjected to medical or scienti�c experiments without their Reference to science informed consent. Prohibition of slavery 13. Slavery, servitude and forced labour No one may be subjected to slavery, servitude or forced labour. Regulation of evidence collection 14. Privacy Right to privacy Everyone has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have- a. their person or home searched; b. their property searched; c. their possessions seized; or d. the privacy of their communications infringed. 15. Freedom of religion, belief and opinion 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and Freedom of religion opinion. Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience 2. Religious observances may be conducted at state or state-aided institutions, provided that- a. those observances follow rules made by the appropriate public authorities; b. they are conducted on an equitable basis; and c. attendance at them is free and voluntary. 3 a. This section does not prevent legislation recognising- i. marriages concluded under any tradition, or a system of religious, personal or family law; or ii. systems of personal and family law under any tradition, or adhered to by persons professing a particular religion. b. Recognition in terms of paragraph (a) must be consistent with this section and the other provisions of the Constitution. 16. Freedom of expression 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes- Freedom of expression a. freedom of the press and other media; Freedom of press b. freedom to receive or impart information or ideas; c. freedom of artistic creativity; and Reference to art d. academic freedom and freedom of scienti�c research. Right to academic freedom 2. The right in subsection (1) does not extend to- RFreefeerdeonmc eo ft oe xscpireenscseion a. propaganda for war; b. incitement of imminent violence; or c. advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm. Right of petition Freedom of assembly South Africa 1996 (rev. 2012) Page 10