Chapter 5
Statute law
Statute law is written law that has been approved by the legislature. The legislature is parliament. Parliament is situated in Cape Town. Statute law is usually called an ‘act’ and it is published in a government newspaper called the Government Gazette. An example of a statute law is the Protected Discosures Act No 26 of 2000. This means it was the 26th Act (law) passed in 2000. (See Making laws)
The executive then must enforce the law as written by the legislature. Ministers and bodies (eg, department of health) are part of the executive.
The manner in which the laws are carried out are written in the Regulations.
Provinces, towns and cities are allowed to make their own laws which only apply to them. These are called ordinances for the provinces, or by-laws for the towns and cities.
The Constitutional Court can declare any statute law invalid if it goes against the Constitution. Other courts can only declare less important laws invalid.
(See What happens if a bill is, or might be, unconstitutional?)