The Constitution says there will be seven government institutions to protect people from abuse by the government. They are referred to as the chapter 9 Institutions or protection mechanisms.

It is their job to make sure that the government does its work properly.

(See: Protecting Human Rights)

These institutions are independent and report to parliament at least once a year. They are:

• The Public Protector
• South African Human Rights Commission
• Commission on Gender Equality
• The Auditor General
• Independent Electoral Commission
• Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities
• Independent Communications Authority of South Africa