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