Government of the Northern Cape

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

Besides the Premier, the Executive Council consists of ten MECs overseeing eleven departments.

The Northern Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa in Kimberley 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.

Judges of the High Court periodically go on circuit to hear cases in parts of the province distant from Kimberley.

The regional magistrate's court for the Northern Cape, which sits at multiple locations in the province, 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).