Chapter nine institutions

Chapter nine institutions refer to a group of organisations established in terms of Chapter 9 of the South African Constitution to guard democracy. The institutions are:

• the Public Protector
• the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
• the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
• the Commission for Gender Equality
• the Auditor-General
• the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
• an Independent Authority to Regulate Broadcasting.^[1]

Though chapter nine calls for a broadcast regulator it does not specifically mandate the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa). Interpretations vary on whether Icasa is (or is not) a chapter nine institution.

Parliamentary review

In October 2006 an ad-hoc parliamentary committee was established to investigate the chapter nine bodies with regard to employment procedures and institutional governance.^[2] Also of concern was spending on the institutions and their lack of mandate to operate outside of the country.^[3] The committee recommended the establishment of a directorate, under the office of the Speaker, to liaise with the institutions.^[4]

References

External links

• Text of Chapter 9 at South African Government Information