Chapter 9 of the South African Constitution lists institutions established with a purpose of safeguarding and strengthening the constitutional democracy within South Africa. The institutions are independent and impartial, subject only to the Constitution and the law. Yearly, they must report on their activities to the National Assembly.

The institutions consist of the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) , the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), the Auditor-General, and the Electoral Commission. 

In terms of public sector equality duties, the SAHRC, and the CGE play their own unique role, specifically in enabling the realisation of provisions set forth by the PEPUDA. According to Section 25 (3) of the PEPUDA, the institutions are competent to conduct investigations into cases, make recommendations, and request reports regarding cases and their outcomes from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.