South African Constitution Quiz

This section dictates that a Constitutional Court judge, whose 12-year term ends or who turns 70 before completing 15 years of active service, must continue in office until either 15 years of active service is complete or the judge is 75, whichever is earlier.

This section allows a Chief Justice, eligible for retirement (according to sections 3(1)(a) or 4(1) or (2)), to continue performing duties, upon the President's request, and for a duration determined by the President, but no longer than until the Chief Justice turns 75.

The principle that everyone is equal before the law and governed by it.

Power is divided amongst several branches of government (e.g., legislative, executive, judicial) to avoid concentration of power in one entity.

Judges must be free from external influence or pressure, ensuring impartial legal processes.

Likely a constitutional provision outlining the parameters for judicial service and tenure terms.

A core legal concept evaluating if a law adheres to fundamental principles outlined in the Constitution.

Misconduct, incapacity, or incompetence are grounds for removing a public official from office.

A committee of the National Assembly investigates and determines if grounds for removal exist.

Auditor General and Public Protector removal requires a two-thirds majority vote.

Removal of a Commission member requires a majority vote.

The President can suspend an official during removal proceedings.

Following Assembly's vote, the President must remove the official.

A South African incident involving the relocation and deaths of mental health patients.

A focus on using the Constitution to bring about social change.

The Constitution is the highest law of the land, and all laws must comply with it.

Judicial review involves the application and interpretation of law in various contexts.

The South African legal system, courts, and roles of judges are a critical component of the structure.

Understanding and analyzing the power and influence of South African courts to uphold principles.

The cabinet member responsible for justice must be the final decision-maker for prosecutions.

National laws decide everything not covered explicitly in Section 179(6).

The functions are instituting, conducting, and discontinuing criminal cases for the state.

Prosecution must have sufficient admissible evidence for a reasonable conviction chance.

National laws must specify how to train judges.

National laws dictate complaint procedures for the judicial system.

National laws describe participation of non-judicial roles in court decisions.

The power shared by the High Court, Supreme Court of Appeal, and Constitutional Court to hear cases challenging the constitutionality of laws.

The power of the Constitutional Court to hear specific cases that only it can decide.

Legal arguments questioning if a law is compliant with the constitution.

Disagreements among different branches of the government (national or provincial), concerning their constitutional powers.

Checking if parliamentary or provincial laws are compliant with the Constitution.

The process of sending a law to the Constitutional Court for a constitutionality review by the President or Premier.

The Constitutional Court has the power to hear applications related to constitutional matters filed by lawmakers in a legislature.

The Public Protector controls the state's public administration, investigates maladministration, and plays a crucial role in South Africa's governance.

The Public Protector cannot investigate court decisions, as outlined in section 182(3).

The Public Protector's services must be accessible to all citizens and communities, as enshrined in section 182(4).

Public Protector reports are typically public, unless national law specifies confidentiality (Section 182(5)).

The Public Protector's term is 7 years and is non-renewable (Section 183).

A 2024 Public Protector report focused on gender-based violence and how the criminal justice system responds to it, prompted by a murder case.

The Public Protector's functions and powers are determined by national laws.

A previous office role to the Public Protector, known as the ‘ombudsman’, was replaced in order to be non-sexist.

Allegation that a law or action violates the constitutional right to equality for Muslim women.

High Court handles certain constitutional issues, but the Constitutional Court makes the final decisions.

States the failure of the State in fulfilling constitutional obligations includes actions by the President.

A case that confirms the Constitutional Court's final authority over State actions.

A marriage recognized as valid, based on the fact of the marriage itself, even if not formally under Muslim rites.

South African law governing the division of assets in a marriage, divorce, and separation.

South African law governing divorce procedures and the outcome of divorces.