South AfricaZA

Article 198 of the Constitution of South Africa

Article
198
Chapter
CHAPTER 11 — SECURITY SERVICES
Index row title
The following principles govern national security in the Republic:
Source document
The South Africa Constitution
Provision ID
9aa2f3f1-58e3-4b87-839d-2164c7459891

108 words

Verbatim text

(a) National security must reflect the resolve of South Africans, as individuals and as a nation, to live as equals, to live in peace and harmony, to be free from fear and want and to seek a better life. (b) The resolve to live in peace and harmony precludes any South African citizen from participating in armed conflict, nationally or internationally, except as provided for in terms of the Constitution or national legislation. (c) National security must be pursued in compliance with the law, including international law. (d) National security is subject to the authority of Parliament and the national executive. Establishment, structuring and conduct of security services

What this means

  • The index files this text under article 198 of the Constitution of South Africa.
  • The index files it under the chapter heading “CHAPTER 11 — SECURITY SERVICES”.
  • The passage runs to about 108 words.
  • Read plainly, it mentions equality and non-discrimination — it requires equal treatment or forbids discrimination (the words used: “equals”).

The row’s stored title is a body fragment, not a heading (“The following principles govern national security in the Republic:”), so it is not used as the provision’s title here.

The index gives this passage an article number but stores a body fragment where a heading would be, so the number could not be cross-checked against the text. Check it against the official Constitution before relying on it in a citation.

This is a mechanical reading aid generated from the text above by matching words in it. It is not legal advice, not a lawyer’s interpretation, and not a substitute for the provision itself.

How to cite this

Constitution of South Africa, article 198, Portable Lawyer, https://www.portablelawyer.app/provision/9aa2f3f1-58e3-4b87-839d-2164c7459891 (accessed 25 October 2026).

Canonical URL: https://www.portablelawyer.app/provision/9aa2f3f1-58e3-4b87-839d-2164c7459891

Accessed 25 October 2026.

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