President Zuma accepts pay hikes for public office bearers

Friday, July 27, 2012

"After taking into consideration the recommendations of the Commission and other relevant factors prescribed by the Act, the President determined that the total remuneration of all public office bearers should be adjusted by 5.5 % with effect from 01 April 2012," the Presidency said in a statement.

Judge Willie Seriti, who heads the commission, had presented the proposal to Zuma this week. The President is empowered by law to determine salaries, allowances and other benefits of the public office bearers.

Under the new increases, the President's remuneration (less travel allowance and benefits) will move from R2.49 million to R2.62 million, while that of the Deputy President will increase from R2.24 million to R2.36 million.

The salary of a Minister increases to R2 million (up from R1.9 million) and that of a Deputy Minister to R1.65 million (up from R1.57 million).

Members of Parliament (MPs) will see their salaries rise to R889 383 (up from R843 017); the Speaker of Parliament will now get R2.36 million (up from R2.24 million); the leader of the opposition will get R1.3 million and the chief whip of the majority party R1.3 million (up from R1.23 million).

Premiers will get R1.89 million (up from R1.79 million); executive mayors and mayors R1.05 million (up from R991 115) and municipal councillors R401 866 (up from R380 916).

The Chief Justice's salary rises from R2.24 million to R2.36 million, while those for high court and labour court judges rise to R1.53 million, from R1.46 million and those for magistrates from R671 219 to R708 136.

For traditional leaders, a king will now get R978 321 (up from R927 319) and senior traditional leaders R179 451 (from R170 096).