South Africa
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- parliamentary republic
- CONSTITUTION
- December 10, 1996 signed by President Mandela and came into effect on February 4, 1997
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on Roman-Dutch law and English common law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, National Assembly and National Council of Provinces
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Constitutional Court; Supreme Courts of Appeal; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts
RELIGIONS
Christian majority
From the country
- SEPTEMBER 16, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
The Inkatha Freedom Party, expressing outrage about...
The Inkatha Freedom Party, expressing outrage about yet another alleged rape of a child, called for a referendum on the return of the death penalty
- SEPTEMBER 13, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
South Africa supported the nomination of Libya to chair...
South Africa supported the nomination of Libya to chair the United Nations (UN) Commission on Human Rights, Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma told Parliament
- SEPTEMBER 10, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
Crowds gathered outside the Magistrate's Court in the...
Crowds gathered outside the Magistrate's Court in the South African town of Newcastle called for the death penalty for four people arrested in connection with the murder of a pastor
- SEPTEMBER 8, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
Six years after the abolishment of the death penalty...
Six years after the abolishment of the death penalty in South Africa, hundreds of former death row prisoners are still awaiting their fate as the department of justice drags its feet on reviewing their sentences
- AUGUST 19, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GLA) political party...
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance (GLA) political party called for the reinstatement of the death penalty for murder in its electoral manifesto for the 2004 general elections in South Africa
- AUGUST 15, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
Crime is by no means a threat to South Africa, said...
Crime is by no means a threat to South Africa, said Justice and Constitutional Development minister Penuell Maduna in Pretoria while announcing the forthcoming Global Judges Symposium on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg on August 18
- AUGUST 10, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) called...
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) called on the New National Party (NNP) to disband after its leader promoted the reinstatement of the death penalty in his Women's Day message
- AUGUST 9, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
The murder and possible rape of former first lady Marike...
The murder and possible rape of former first lady Marike de Klerk strengthened the New National Party's case for the reinstatement of the death penalty, NNP leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk said
- AUGUST 9, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
South Africa should impose the death penalty on criminals...
South Africa should impose the death penalty on criminals who committed murder, rape and armed robbery to protect the lives of its citizens, especially women, an opposition party leader said
- JULY 26, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
A South African man was sentenced to life imprisonment...
A South African man was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a nine-month-old baby, in an attack which outraged the country known for its high levels of violent crime
- JULY 11, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
An Amnesty International report said torture and ill-treatment...
An Amnesty International report said torture and ill-treatment are the most frequently reported human-rights violations committed by police in Southern Africa
- JUNE 25, 2002South AfricaDEATH PENALTY
In South Africa, scores of Eastern Cape citizens marched...
In South Africa, scores of Eastern Cape citizens marched to the East London Magistrate's Court to express their intolerance at the attacks on farmers and businessmen in the province