The SAHRC promotes respect for human rights and protects human rights. It must educate people about human rights and it can investigate complaints about human rights abuses. If necessary it can arrange for someone to have a lawyer to defend their rights, and it can take cases to court.

The SAHRC is an independent body and is only accountable to the Constitution and parliament. The SAHRC must send a report of its activities to parliament at least once a year. The SAHRC consists of a chairperson and 10 members. The members are nominated and approved by the national assembly and the national council of provinces. Members of the SAHRC can be commissioners for 7 years.