Pretoria - The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers (POBs) has recommended a 5% increase on remuneration for President Jacob Zuma and all anchor positions of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary for the 2015/16 financial year.
The commission on Friday said this in order to maintain the equal status of the three arms of state.
The commission made a cost-of-living-adjustment recommendation after various engagements with stakeholders.
It said 5% will be for POBs earning an annual remuneration package of more than R1 million and 6% for POBs earning less than an annual remuneration package of R1 million.
The 5% would affect remunerations of the President, Speaker of National Parliament, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces, Chief Justice, Members of National and Provincial Executive, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and Provincial legislatures.
“The commission, in making its 2015/2016 recommendations, considered the comments and inputs from the stakeholders and took into account matters that are within its mandate,” it said.
The commission also considered, as provided for in section 8(6) of the Commission Act, factors such as the role, status, duties, functions and responsibilities of the POBs, economic conditions, current principles and levels of remuneration, Consumer Price Index (CPI) and future forecast, the past recommendations and the President’s determinations.
For Members of National and Provincial Executive, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures, the commission said it considered the additional benefits that are prescribed by their institutional handbooks and prescripts, which augment their remuneration package of these POBs and to an extent act as a buffer to the direct effects of inflation.
The commission also recommended 5% from the position of Deputy Chief Justice to Judge of Supreme Court of Appeal, 5.5% from the position of Judge President of High/Labour Court to Chief Magistrate, and 6% for the position of Senior Magistrate and Magistrate.
For local government POBs, the commission also recommended 5.5% from position of Executive Mayor to Whip, and 6% for position of Municipal Councillor.
For traditional leaders, the commission recommended 5.5% for a position of a King or Queen, 6% from a position of Chairperson of National House of Traditional Leaders to a Full-time member of Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, 8% for a position of Senior Traditional Leaders, and an amount of R 91 000 for the Headmen or Headwomen. -SAnews.gov.za
