Zuma increases government salaries ahead of budget speech

President Jacob Zuma has decided to increase salaries of political office bearers nationally, by 4.4% for 2015/16.

This is below inflation and below the recommended rate – in line with the current economic climate, the presidency said.

The determination for 2016/17 has not yet been made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers.

The salaries and allowances of different categories of public office bearers are determined by the President, after taking into account the recommendations of the Commission and various other factors, such as inflationary increases.

The salary of the President is determined by Parliament, though the Commission recommended a 5% increase for Zuma in November 2015.

The Commission also recommended that the salaries of all public office bearers be increased between 5% and 8% for the various offices in the 2015/16 financial year.

However, after considering, the condition of the economic climate, which has deteriorated, Zuma has decided to increase the salaries of all public office bearers as follows:

• 4.4% for all public office bearers except Magistrates and certain category of the traditional leaders.
• 5.5% from the position of the Special Grade Chief Magistrate to the position of the Chief Magistrate.
• 6% from the position of the Senior Magistrate to the position of the Magistrate.
• 4.4% for a position of a King / Queen.
• 6% from a position of the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders to a position of a Full-time member of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.
• 8% for a position of a Senior Traditional Leader.
• R91,000 for the Headmen/Headwomen.

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