Government of the Eastern Cape

Provincial politics of South Africa The Eastern Cape province of South Africa is governed in a parliamentary system in which the people elect the provincial legislature and the legislature, in turn, elects the Premier as head of the executive.

The Premier appoints Members of the Executive Council (MECs) to oversee the various departments of the provincial government.

Besides the Premier, the Eastern Cape Executive Council consists of ten MECs overseeing twelve departments.

The Eastern Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa has jurisdiction over all cases arising in the province, but generally handles only the most serious or high-profile criminal trials, high-value civil trials, cases involving judicial review of legislation or executive actions, and appeals from the magistrates' courts.

The regional magistrate's court for the province, which sits at multiple locations, has jurisdiction over all criminal cases except treason and can impose a fine of up to R300,000 or a prison sentence of up to fifteen years (or life in some circumstances).