Christmas cheer for MPs, ministers

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has announced a five percent increase in salaries of public office bearers for the 2013/2014 financial year, the presidency said on Friday.

"The president will not take any salary increase. The five percent increase is effective from 1 April 2013, the start of the 2013/14 financial year," said spokesperson Mac Maharaj in a statement.

Public officer bearers include the president, deputy president, ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament, premiers  members of mayoral committees, provincial legislatures, as well as mayors, councillors, judges, magistrates and traditional leaders.

Zuma took the decision after taking into account the affordability of the different levels of remuneration, the present social and economic context as well as inflation.

Zuma considered the recommendations of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, Maharaj said.

It had recommended the total remuneration of people earning below R500 000 per year be increased by 7%, while those earning between R500 000 and R800 000 get 5%. 

Those earning between R800 000 and R1m a year should get an increase of 4%. Those earning above R1m should not get an increase.