{"id":846809,"date":"2025-12-28T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=846809"},"modified":"2025-12-28T09:06:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T07:06:00","slug":"massive-payday-for-ramaphosa-ministers-and-other-politicians-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/846809\/massive-payday-for-ramaphosa-ministers-and-other-politicians-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive payday for Ramaphosa, ministers and other politicians in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers has published its recommended salary hikes for South Africa’s top government officials, pushing an above-inflation increase of 4.1%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commission is mandated to make annual recommendations relating to the salaries and\/or the upper limits of the salaries, allowances, benefits, and the resources required by defined Public Office-Bearers (POBs), to enable them to perform their respective duties effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its recommendations cover the Presidency, ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament, provincial and local government, as well as judges, magistrates and traditional leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In determining the recommendation of a 4.1% increase, the commission flagged the steep decline in inflation experienced this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial projections were for the figure to average 4.5% at the beginning of the year, but this dropped to 3.5% by the end of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It conducted a series of interviews and surveys among financial institutions and researchers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It said it is of the view “that the realistic base range for inflation forecast for 2025\/2026 should be between 3.5% and 4.5%.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also took into consideration the public service wage agreement, which saw public servants’ wages hiked by 5.5% from April 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commission acknowledged that the 4.1% recommendation was still high enough to add more to the financial pressures on the budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Covering approximately 20,587 incumbents under its purview, the R13.077 billion spent on salaries in 2024\/2025 would balloon to R13.613 billion in 2025\/26 with the increase, adding over R530 million to the tab.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past decade, the wage bill has decreased as a share of consolidated spending, falling from
35.7 % in 2013\/14 to 32.1 % in 2023\/24. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By 2027\/28, the wage bill is projected to decrease to 31.4% of consolidated spending; however, this still remains a massive budget item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To further contain public service wage costs, the government is proposing to reactivate early retirement without penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The Minister of Finance mentioned that South Africa\u2019s average spending on public-sector salaries is well above that of many countries,” it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Cabinet has approved an early retirement programme to reduce government employment costs while retaining critical skills and promoting the entry of younger talent into the public service.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recommendation has not been received well by trade unions and political parties, who say the pay hikes are out of touch and come against a backdrop of government failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended salaries for government workers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
GNU party leaders, with the exception of the Patriotic Alliance’s Gayton McKenzie. Photo: GCIS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The tables below outline the recommended salaries for Ramaphosa and the other state officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

National Executive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
President<\/td>R3,348,761<\/td>R3,486,061<\/td>+R137,300<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy President<\/td>R3,164,654<\/td>R3,294,404<\/td>+R129,750<\/td><\/tr>
Minister<\/td>R2,689,937<\/td>R2,800,225<\/td>+R110,288<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Minister<\/td>R2,215,220<\/td>R2,306,044<\/td>+R90,824<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Members of Parliament<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Speaker: NA<\/td>R3,164,654<\/td>R3,294,404<\/td>+R129,750<\/td><\/tr>
Chair: NCOP<\/td>R3,164,654<\/td>R3,294,404<\/td>+R129,750<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Speaker: NA<\/td>R2,215,220<\/td>R2,306,044<\/td>+R90,824<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Chair: NCOP<\/td>R2,215,220<\/td>R2,306,044<\/td>+RR90,824<\/td><\/tr>
House Chair<\/td>R2,108,472<\/td>R2,194,919<\/td>+R86,447<\/td><\/tr>
Chief Whip: Majority Party<\/td>R1,792,595<\/td>R1,866,092<\/td>+R73,497<\/td><\/tr>
Chief Whip: NCOP<\/td>R1,792,595<\/td>R1,866,092<\/td>+R73,497<\/td><\/tr>
Parliamentary Councillor: President<\/td>R1,792,595<\/td>R1,866,092<\/td>+R73,497<\/td><\/tr>
Parliamentary Councillor: Deputy President<\/td>R1,792,595<\/td>R1,866,092<\/td>+R73,497<\/td><\/tr>
Leader of the Opposition<\/td>R1,792,595<\/td>R1,866,092<\/td>+R73,497<\/td><\/tr>
Chair of a Committee<\/td>R1,675,314<\/td>R1,744,002<\/td>+R68,688<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Chief Whip: Majority Party<\/td>R1,507,841<\/td>R1,569,662<\/td>+R61,821<\/td><\/tr>
Chief Whip: Largest Miniority Party<\/td>R1,507,841<\/td>R1,569,662<\/td>+R61,821<\/td><\/tr>
Leader of Minority PArty<\/td>R1,507,841<\/td>R1,569,662<\/td>+R61,821<\/td><\/tr>
Whip<\/td>R1,399,201<\/td>R1,456,568<\/td>+R57,367<\/td><\/tr>
Member: NA<\/td>R1,274,536<\/td>R1,326,792<\/td>+R52,256<\/td><\/tr>
Permanent Delegate: NCOP<\/td>R1,274,536<\/td>R1,326,792<\/td>+R52,256<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Provincial Executive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Premier<\/td>R2,531,760<\/td>R2,635,562<\/td>+R103,802<\/td><\/tr>
MEC<\/td>R2,215,220<\/td>R2,306,044<\/td>+R90,824<\/td><\/tr>
Speaker<\/td>R2,215,220<\/td>R2,306,044<\/td>+R90,824<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Speaker<\/td>R1,792,595<\/td>R1,866,092<\/td>+R73,497<\/td><\/tr>
Chief Whip: Majority<\/td>R1,675,314<\/td>R1,744,002<\/td>+R68,688<\/td><\/tr>
Chair of Committee<\/td>R1,507,844<\/td>R1,569,666<\/td>+R61,822<\/td><\/tr>
Leader of the Opposition<\/td>R1,507,844<\/td>R1,569,666<\/td>+R61,822<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Chair of Committee<\/td>R1,418,612<\/td>R1,476,775<\/td>+R58,163<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Chief Whip: Majority<\/td>R1,418,612<\/td>R1,476,775<\/td>+R58,163<\/td><\/tr>
Chief Whip: Largest Minority<\/td>R1,418,612<\/td>R1,476,775<\/td>+R58,163<\/td><\/tr>
Leader of Minority<\/td>R1,418,612<\/td>R1,476,775<\/td>+R58,163<\/td><\/tr>
Parliamentary Councillor to a King\/Queen<\/td>R1,274,536<\/td>R1,326,792<\/td>+R52,256<\/td><\/tr>
Whip<\/td>R1,274,536<\/td>R1,326,792<\/td>+R52,256<\/td><\/tr>
Member of Provincial Legislature<\/td>R1,233,560<\/td>R1,284,135<\/td>+R50,575<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Local Government<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Executive Mayor<\/td>R1,532,264<\/td>R1,595,087<\/td>+R62,823<\/td><\/tr>
Mayor<\/td>R1,532,264<\/td>R1,595,087<\/td>+R62,823<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Executive Mayor<\/td>R1,237,484<\/td>R1,288,221<\/td>+R50,737<\/td><\/tr>
Speaker\/Chair<\/td>R1,237,484<\/td>R1,288,221<\/td>+R50,737<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Mayor<\/td>R1,237,484<\/td>R1,288,221<\/td>+R50,737<\/td><\/tr>
MEC<\/td>R1,165,692<\/td>R1,213,486<\/td>+R47,794<\/td><\/tr>
MMC<\/td>R1,165,692<\/td>R1,213,486<\/td>+R47,794<\/td><\/tr>
Chairperson of Sub-council<\/td>R1,165,692<\/td>R1,213,486<\/td>+R47,794<\/td><\/tr>
Whip<\/td>R1,165,692<\/td>R1,213,486<\/td>+R47,794<\/td><\/tr>
Municipal Councillor<\/td>R686,752<\/td>R714,909<\/td>+R28,157<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Judges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Chief Justice<\/td>R3,243,771<\/td>R3,376,765<\/td>+R132,994<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Chief Justice<\/td>R2,919,317<\/td>R3,039,009<\/td>+R119,692<\/td><\/tr>
President: Supreme Court of Appeal<\/td>R2,919,317<\/td>R3,039,009<\/td>+R119,692<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy President: SCA<\/td>R2,757,186<\/td>R2,870,230<\/td>+R113,044<\/td><\/tr>
Judge: Constituional Court<\/td>R2,595,054<\/td>R2,701,451<\/td>+R106,397<\/td><\/tr>
Judge: SCA<\/td>R2,595,054<\/td>R2,701,451<\/td>+R106,397<\/td><\/tr>
Judge President: High\/Labour Court<\/td>R2,432,922<\/td>R2,532,672<\/td>+R99,750<\/td><\/tr>
Deputy Judge President: High\/Labour Court<\/td>R2,270,601<\/td>R2,363,696<\/td>+R93,095<\/td><\/tr>
Judge: High\/Labour Court<\/td>R2,108,470<\/td>R2,194,917<\/td>+R86,447<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Magistrates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Special Grade Chief Magistrate<\/td>R1,689,981<\/td>R1,759,270<\/td>+R62,289<\/td><\/tr>
Regional Court President<\/td>R1,689,981<\/td>R1,759,270<\/td>+R62,289<\/td><\/tr>
Regional Magistrate<\/td>R1,516,364<\/td>R1,578,535<\/td>+R62,171<\/td><\/tr>
Chief Magistrate<\/td>R1,516,364<\/td>R1,578,535<\/td>+R62,171<\/td><\/tr>
Senior Magistrate<\/td>R1,256,919<\/td>R1,308,453<\/td>+R51,534<\/td><\/tr>
Magistrate<\/td>R1,161,674<\/td>R1,209,303<\/td>+R47,629<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Traditional Leaders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Position<\/th>2024<\/th>2025<\/th>Change<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
King\/Queen<\/td>R1,388,764<\/td>R1,445,704<\/td>+R56,940<\/td><\/tr>
Principal Traditional Leader<\/td>R1,277,668<\/td>R1,330,052<\/td>+R52,384<\/td><\/tr>
Senior Traditional Leader<\/td>R303,467<\/td>R315,909<\/td>+R12,442<\/td><\/tr>
Headman\/woman<\/td>R130,394<\/td>R135,740<\/td>+R5,346<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers has published its recommended salary hikes for South Africa’s top government officials, pushing an above-inflation increase.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":704955,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[24428,12501,1439],"class_list":["post-846809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-government","tag-members-of-parliament","tag-ramaphosa","tag-salaries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/846809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=846809"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/846809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":846814,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/846809\/revisions\/846814"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/704955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=846809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=846809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=846809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}