Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution
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| Abbreviation | CASAC |
|---|---|
| Established | September 16, 2010 |
| Type | Public benefit organisation |
| Purpose | Constitutional democracy |
| Headquarters | Mowbray, Cape Town |
Region served | South Africa |
Chairperson | Russel Ally |
Executive secretary | Lawson Naidoo |
| Budget | ZAR R3.3 million (2023) |
| Website | casac |
The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) is a South African civil society organisation that aims to promote progressive constitutionalism and the advancement of constitutional democracy.[1] Founded in September 2010, it engages in strategic public interest litigation, research, and public advocacy.
CASAC was launched during an event at Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia on 16 September 2010.[2][3] According to its founders, the idea for the organisation was born at a dinner between Kader Asmal, Geoff Budlender, Mamphela Ramphele, and Richard Calland in Cape Town in 2009,[4] and the organisation incubated at Calland's Democratic Governance and Rights Unit, based at the University of Cape Town, until its official launch.[5]
CASAC's founding advisory council comprised 33 lawyers, activists, and academics,[6] including Budlender, Calland, Cathi Albertyn, Pierre de Vos, Adam Habib, Frene Ginwala, Mazibuko Jara, Tshepo Madlingozi, Lawson Naidoo, Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Vusi Pikoli, Wim Trengove, and Hugh Corder.[1] Its founding chairman was Sipho Pityana, who introduced the organisation at Liliesleaf with a speech warning against "a conservative assault on the constitution from the very powerful in our society".[2][4]
Founded at an early stage of Jacob Zuma's presidency, CASAC became particularly active in advocacy around political corruption[7] and judicial appointments.[8] In March 2011, Zuma's government released an official press statement questioning CASAC's "intentions" and criticizing its "insinuations that South Africa is nearing... a dysfunctional state".[9]
Litigation
In addition to serving as amicus curiae in various cases, CASAC has brought major lawsuits against government defendants, notably including Corruption Watch v President, on the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority.[10][11][12]