By Xolani Mbjanwa
Political Bureau
President Jacob Zuma yesterday heeded the concerns of his finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, and awarded a 7 percent salary increase to elected public office bearers instead of the 8 percent recommended by the Independent Commission on Remuneration.
"In light of the current economic situation, and the pressure on government finances, I have decided to adjust downwards the percentage recommended by the commission," Zuma said in a statement issued by the Presidency.
Commission chairperson Judge Willie Seriti had told journalists in Pretoria earlier yesterday that Gordhan, who has been urging restraint in government spending, had been the only minister consulted who had not supported the recommendation.
Continues Below ↓
| The commission welcomed Zuma's decision |
Zuma's decision will result in his salary and those of his ministers, their deputies, MPs, members of provincial legislatures, mayors, councillors, judges and magistrates and traditional leaders being increased by 7 percent, backdated to April 1.
MPs' salaries will increase from R714 618 a year to R764 641. Zuma's salary will move up from R2 101 224 to R2 254 729.
Provincial legislature members' salaries will increase from R691 641 to R740 055 and those of councillors will rise from R322 899 to R345 501.
The commission welcomed Zuma's decision.
Seriti said that, although Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, Co-operative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka and former chief justice Pius Langa had supported an 8 percent increase during consultations, Gordhan had not.
He had asked the commission to consider the high inflation rate and the global economic crisis, and to benchmark the increase according to market-related salary increases, Seriti said.
Seriti had said earlier that, in deciding on a figure, the commission had taken into account the 11 percent salary increase that was granted to public-office bearers last year.
It had also considered senior management pay increases, the effects of the global economic downturn, slow revenue growth, a contracting gross domestic product and the fact that the government's tax revenue was expected to fall by R70 billion over this financial year.
The increase would be implemented by the end of December.
Seriti said the commission had felt an adjustment of 8 percent across the board was fair and equitable.
He pointed out that it was important to maintain the commission's independence from public service salary negotiations and other "potential distractions" when making its recommendations.
Traditional leaders who are permanent members of the national and provincial houses of traditional leaders will now be allowed to join the office bearers' pension fund. Those who were not full-time would be on a lower scale.
Seriti would not comment on demands by MPs last year who wanted the law changed so they could decide their own salaries and perks.
- This article was originally published on page 5 of Cape Times on November 13, 2009
|