Pretoria- President Jacob Zuma has been sensitive to the country’s social and economic conditions, the Presidency said on Friday.
This after the Presidency took note of media reports generated by the decision of the National Assembly to accept the recommendation for a 5% increase in the 2014/15 financial year to the salaries of public office bearers, including the President and the Deputy President among others.
The Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers independently reviews and recommends salaries of public office bearers on an annual basis. In January, the commission recommended an increase of 5% for all office bearers, including the President.
“Since taking office in 2009 President Jacob Zuma has been sensitive to South Africans' social and economic conditions, opting on various occasions for salary increases below those recommended by the commission.
“Since 2010 for instance, the President has never approved or accepted the commission’s recommended increase that is above the prevailing inflation rate,” said the Presidency.
In 2009, the year that he came into office, the commission recommended an 8% salary hike but President Zuma reduced it to 7%.
In 2010 the commission recommended 7% but he decided against it and substantially lowered it to 5%.
In 2013, after the tragic incidents in Marikana, the commission recommended 7% but President Zuma decided against an increase for himself but approved increases for Members of Parliament and other office bearers.
The Directors General of all departments also declined any salary increases in 2013, following the President's example.
“The Presidency wishes to reiterate that it is the commission that, after considering section 8 (6) of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act number 92 of 1997, makes recommendations to the President regarding the remuneration.
“As is the practice, before submitting recommendations, the commission consulted relevant stakeholders including the Minister of Finance and the recommendations of the commission were further forwarded to National Parliament for tabling and subsequent adoption,” explained the Presidency. - SAnews.gov.za
