Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of South Africa

The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of South Africa allowed members of municipal councils to cross the floor from one political party to another without losing their seats.

This schedule allowed municipal councillors to cross the floor without losing their seats, but only during certain window periods.

One was also to occur in the fifteen days immediately after the amendment came into force, but as a result of a court challenge this period was suspended until October.

The amendment was passed by the National Assembly on 11 June 2002 with 280 votes in favour, more than the requisite two-thirds majority.

It was signed by President Thabo Mbeki on 19 June and came into force on the following day, at the same time as the Ninth Amendment.