But then, a month later, their MPs made headlines for brawling with parliamentary security and their leader, Julius Malema, vowed never to let Zuma talk in parliament in peace again<\/a>.<\/p>\n MPs are paid \u2013 and quite handsomely at that \u2013 to represent the public in parliament from money paid to the government by taxpayers.<\/p>\n Africa Check looks at how much South Africa\u2019s MPs earn, what they actually do and, from the available data and try to identify the hardest-working MPs from the available data.<\/p>\n The highest-paid MPs are the speaker of the national assembly and the chairman of the national council of provinces (NCOP). Those positions are held, at present, by Baleka Mbete and Thandi Modise. Both are members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).<\/p>\n As of 1 April 2015, both earned R2,716,798 a year, according to the\u00a0government gazette<\/a>. That averages out to R226,400 a month.<\/p>\n Their salaries are the same as the deputy president\u2019s, an indication of how senior they are. They also earn more than cabinet ministers, who get R2,309,262 a year, or R192,439 a month.<\/p>\n The next highest-paid MP is the deputy speaker of the national assembly, who earns R1,901,726 a year, which is the same as a deputy cabinet minister. That works out to R158,477 a month. At present, Lechesa Tsenoli is the deputy speaker.<\/p>\n The house chairman comes next on the pay scale. This is currently Cedrick Frolick, who earns R1,765,935 a year.<\/p>\n After him comes a group of senior MPs \u2013 the chief whip of the majority party, the chief whip of the NCOP, and the parliamentary council president and deputy president \u2013 who earn R1,494,192 a year. The leader of the opposition, currently Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance, is also among this group. Their monthly average works out at R124,516.<\/p>\n Leaders of minority parties, such as Julius Malema and Bantu Holomisa from the UDM, earn R1,222,606 a year or R101,885 a month.<\/p>\n The lowest salary an MP in the national assembly or NCOP earns is R1,033,434 a year, or R86,120 a month.<\/p>\n Africa Check sent a number of emails and made multiple phone calls to the office of the parliamentary spokesperson to find out what benefits MPs receive over and above the annual remuneration listed in the government zazette, but parliament has yet to respond. (Note: We will update this factsheet when they do<\/i>.)<\/p>\n A report by the People\u2019s Assembly<\/a>\u00a0information website in 2014, listed a number of \u201cperks\u201d that MPs were entitled to, according to parliamentary spokesman, Estelle Randall. These included \u201c86 single economy-class air journeys, accommodation in parliamentary villages, airport parking, reimbursed allowances for travel costs between airport and home and travel facilities for dependents, according to the policy for travel\u201d.<\/p>\n Parking in the parliamentary precinct, a fully equipped office in the precinct and an information and communications technology allowance were also included.<\/p>\n MPs received annual salary increases based on recommendations<\/a> by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers<\/a>, which were benchmarked on forecasts of average annual inflation. Since 2012, MPs have received annual increases of between 5 and 6%.<\/p>\n This article is part of a bigger piece by Africa Check – read the full story here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n 400,000 \u201cpoor whites\u201d in South Africa a myth: Africa Check<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The truth and lies in the DA\u2019s 2016 election manifesto<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Can the EFF live up to its election promises?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nWhat do MPs earn?<\/h2>\n
![\"MP](\"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/MP-salary.png\")
<\/a>Source: Government Gazette<\/span><\/p>\nMore from Africa Check<\/h3>\n