# Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993/1996-03-29

This is the text of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (also known as the "Interim Constitution"), as it was on 29 March 1996, when it was amended by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, 1996.
Act
To introduce a new Constitution for the Republic of South Africa and to provide for matters incidental thereto.
as amended by
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, No. 2 of 1994 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, No. 3 of 1994 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Third Amendment Act, No. 13 of 1994 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fourth Amendment Act, No. 14 of 1994 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Fifth Amendment Act, No. 29 of 1994 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Sixth Amendment Act, No. 24 of 1994 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, No 20 of 1995 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Second Amendment Act, No 44 of 1995 Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Amendment Act, No 7 of 1996
Table of Contents :
| | | Sections |
| Chapter 1 | Constituent and Formal Provisions | 1–4 |
| Chapter 2 | Citizenship and Franchise | 5–6 |
| Chapter 3 | Fundamental Rights | 7–35 |
| Chapter 4 | Parliament | 36–39 |
| | —The National Assembly | 40–47 |
| | —The Senate | 48–54 |
| | —The National Assembly and the Senate | 55–67 |
| Chapter 5 | The Adoption of the new Constitution | 68–74 |
| Chapter 6 | The National Executive | 75–95 |
| Chapter 7 | The Judicial Authority and the Administration of Justice | 96–109 |
| Chapter 8 | The Public Protector, Human Rights Commission, Commission on Gender Equality and Restitution of Land Rights |
| | —The Public Protector | 110–114 |
| | —Human Rights Commission | 115–118 |
| | —Commission on Gender Equality | 119–120 |
| | —Restitution of Land Rights | 121–123 |
| Chapter 9 | Provincial Government | 124 |
| | —Provincial Legislative Authority | 125–143 |
| | —Provincial Executive Authority | 144–154 |
| | —Provincial Finance and Fiscal Affairs | 155–159 |
| | —Provincial Constitutions | 160–162 |
| | —Commission on Provincial Government | 163–173 |
| Chapter 10 | Local Government | 174–180 |
| Chapter 11 | Traditional Authorities | 181–184 |
| Chapter 11A | Volkstaat Council | 184A–184B |
| Chapter 12 | Finance |
| | —General Financial Affairs | 185–190A |
| | —Auditor-General | 191–194 |
| | —South African Reserve Bank | 195–197 |
| | —Financial and Fiscal Commission | 198–206 |
| | —Commission on Remuneration of Representatives | 207–208 |
| Chapter 13 | Public Service Commission and Public Service | |
| | —Public Service Commission | 209–211 |
| | —The Public Service | 212 |
| | —Provincial Service Commissions | 213 |
| Chapter 14 | Police and Defence | |
| | —South African Police Service | 214–223 |
| | —South African National Defence Force | 224–228 |
| Chapter 15 | General and Transitional Provisions | 229–251 |
| Schedule 1 | Part 1: Definitions of Provinces |
| | Part 2: Contentious Areas |
| Schedule 2 | System for Election of National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures |
| Schedule 3 | Oaths and Affirmations of Office |
| Schedule 4 | Constitutional Principles |
| Schedule 5 | Procedure for Election of President |
| Schedule 6 | Legislative Competences of Provinces |
| Schedule 7 | Repeal of Laws |
Preamble
Whereas there is a need to create a new order in which all South Africans will be entitled to a common South African citizenship in a sovereign and democratic constitutional state in which there is equality between men and women and people of all races so that all citizens shall be able to enjoy and exercise their fundamental rights and freedoms;
And whereas in order to secure the achievement of this goal, elected representatives of all the people of South Africa should be mandated to adopt a new Constitution in accordance with a solemn pact recorded as Constitutional Principles;
And whereas it is necessary for such purposes that provision should be made for the promotion of national unity and the restructuring and continued governance of South Africa while an elected Constitutional Assembly draws up a final Constitution;
(Afrikaans text signed by the State President.) (Assented to 25 January 1994.)
Now therefore the following provisions are adopted as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa: