South African Constitution > Summary of the South African Bill of Rights > Section 17: Freedom of Assembly, Demonstration, Picket and Petition
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Section 17: Freedom of Assembly, Demonstration, Picket and Petition

Everyone has the right to assemble with other people, hold a demonstration, picket or present petitions. They must do this in a peaceful way and they may not carry weapons.

The Regulation of gatherings Act (1993) gives people rights to organize demonstrations and gather together, but it also gives guidelines for doing this, such as providing authorities with at least 7 days notice of the intention to hold a march, giving names, purpose of the event, the place of the gathering or the route of the march and the numbers of people expected to take part. It also says the police can disperse a crowd, using reasonable force, if they believe there is a danger to people or property.