Lesson 4/43 min
Where things stand (November 2026)
Watch out: This list is current to 12 November 2026. There are still 17 amendments. Events after the books were printed are not in them.
Recent developments
- 17 December 2024: the High Court declared parts of the 15th Amendment illegal, including the abolition of the caretaker government
- 12 February 2026: a referendum on the July National Charter was held with the 13th parliamentary election
- 9 July 2026: the Appellate Division upheld the High Court verdict; the caretaker government and referendum provisions are restored and Articles 7A and 7B annulled
- A bill for an 18th Amendment is planned for the January 2027 session; it has not yet been introduced
Did you know?: A court ruling is not an amendment, so the count stays at 17. Reports say the ruling brought the caretaker system and the referendum provision back into the constitution.
Watch out: Both reference books stop at the 17th Amendment and describe Article 7B as an unamendable basic provision. After the 2026 ruling that is out of date. This lesson needs updating if more happens.
Check yourself
How many amendments had the constitution had up to 12 November 2026?
At a glance
- 1
17 amendments up to 12 November 2026; the last was the 17th in 2018.
- 2
The High Court declared parts of the 15th illegal on 17 December 2024; the Appellate Division upheld that on 9 July 2026.
- 3
The referendum on the July National Charter was held on 12 February 2026.
- 4
A bill for an 18th Amendment is planned for the January 2027 session.