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 (CRL Rights Commission)
• the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE)
• 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).^[2] Interpretations vary on whether ICASA is a Chapter 9 institution or not.

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.^[3] Also of concern was spending on the institutions and their lack of mandate to operate outside of the country.^[4] The committee recommended the establishment of a directorate, under the office of the Speaker, to liaise with the institutions.^[5]