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Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court is the apex court in South Africa and the highest judicial authority on constitutional matters. Established in 1995 following the end of apartheid, the court was created to safeguard the rights enshrined in the country's Constitution and to ensure that all law and conduct is consistent with constitutional principles. It sits in Johannesburg at Constitution Hill, a site that formerly housed apartheid-era prisons and now symbolises the transition to democracy. The court comprises 11 justices, including a Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, all appointed by the President after a public nomination and interview process conducted by the Judicial Service Commission. The Constitutional Court has jurisdiction over constitutional disputes between organs of state, challenges to the constitutionality of legislation or executive action, and matters referred to it by lower courts. Its decisions are binding on all courts and organs of state and cannot be appealed. The court has played a central role in shaping South African law on issues ranging from socioeconomic rights and land reform to electoral disputes and the separation of powers. Notable rulings have addressed government accountability, access to housing and healthcare, and the limits of executive authority. The court's independence and its willingness to hold government to account have made it a key institution in South Africa's constitutional democracy. Its judgments are widely studied across the continent and have influenced constitutional jurisprudence in other African jurisdictions.

Constitutional Court Updates


Photo of Terence Creamer
Risks to reform
22nd May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The economic reform agenda has emerged as the defining feature of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency, especially the reforms under way to open the electricity and freight logistics markets to... 


Analyst warns Parly ‘accountability failures’ risk politicising courts
Analyst warns Parly ‘accountability failures’ risk politicising courts
21st May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Political analyst Lukhona Mnguni’s critique of what he says are Parliament's accountability failures, following the recent landmark Constitutional Court ruling, highlights the legislature's... 


Constitutional Court
FUL warns of ‘severe’ ConCourt backlog, urges structural reforms
19th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

A new Freedom Under Law (FUL) report has proposed urgent structural reforms for the Constitutional Court, to address what it reveals are severe case backlogs and lengthy delays. On Tuesday, FUL... 


Healthcare
ConCourt deals blow to NHI
18th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Opposition parties and trade unions overwhelmingly welcomed the recent Constitutional Court ruling, which they viewed as a crucial defence against State control and professional coercion. The... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
DA announces Impeachment Committee team
15th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Following the recent Constitutional Court judgment and the subsequent move to establish a Section 89 Impeachment Committee, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally submitted the names of those... 


ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula
ANC rallies behind Ramaphosa, backs High Court review of Phala Phala report
15th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

The African National Congress has moved to shut down speculation regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa’s future, with secretary-general Fikile Mbalula clarifying on Friday that the ANC’s National... 


Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe
Ramaphosa fires Social Development Minister
14th May 2026 By: Sashnee Moodley

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday dismissed Sisisi Tolashe as Minister of Social Development, after widespread calls for her removal. Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons... 


Image of Cyril Ramaphosa
ActionSA files perjury, fraud charges against Ramaphosa
13th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

ActionSA has officially laid criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa in the ongoing Phala Phala farm theft saga, alleging a deep-seated cover-up and the under-reporting of stolen funds.... 


Image of Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa refuses to resign over Phala Phala as Labour Party demands systemic overhaul
12th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Political parties have reacted to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on the Constitutional Court judgment in the Phala Phala matter, with the Labour Party of South Africa urging for a structural... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
Speaker initiates establishment of impeachment committee after Phala Phala court ruling
11th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

In response to the Constitutional Court's judgment on the Phala Phala vote, Parliament has announced that National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza will initiate the process to establish an... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
No one is above the law – Ramaphosa
8th May 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Responding to Friday’s Constitutional Court ruling, which opens the way for impeachment proceedings against him, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the court’s judgment should be respected. The... 


EFF national chairperson and parliamentary chief whip Nontando Nolutshungu
Opposition parties demand immediate impeachment process against Ramaphosa after ConCourt ruling
8th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Opposition parties have reacted strongly to Friday’s Constitutional Court judgment on an impeachment inquiry over the Phala Phala scandal, with the Economic Freedom Fighters demanding an immediate... 


Image of Geordin Hill-Lewis
DA defends decision to take on NHI in ConCourt
6th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Democratic Alliance leader Geordin Hill-Lewis argued on Wednesday that South Africa cannot build a sustainable healthcare system by centralising "enormous power, money, and decision-making" in a... 


ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu
ANC confident ConCourt will uphold NHI Act as it calls out opposition
5th May 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

The African National Congress believes the Constitutional Court will uphold the constitutionality of the National Health Insurance and affirm the State’s move to roll out universal healthcare. The... 


Constitutional court
ConCourt rules SAHRC can’t issue legally binding directives
22nd April 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

A Constitutional Court ruling has affirmed that the South African Human Rights Commission does not have the authority to issue legally binding directives. The judgment in the matter of SAHRC v Agro... 


Image of Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa makes new ConCourt appointments
10th April 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday announced the appointment of Justice Nambitha Christabel Dambuza-Mayosi and Justice Katharine Mary Savage as Judges of the Constitutional Court with effect from... 


A coal transportation truck driving past a coal-fired power station
Eskom ordered by court to disclose coal, diesel contracts
25th March 2026 By: Bloomberg

Eskom Holdings said it has been ordered by the Supreme Court of Appeal to disclose details of its coal, transport and diesel procurement contracts to activist group Afriforum. South Africa’s state... 


Solidarity warns Ramaphosa on NHI implementation
Solidarity warns Ramaphosa on NHI implementation
13th March 2026 By: Thabi Shomolekae

Solidarity pointed out on Friday that government cannot, through “political rhetoric or administrative manoeuvres”, continue implementing the National Health Insurance system, which is currently... 


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