Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has approved a 5.5% salary increase for top public servants, the presidency said on Thursday.
"After taking into consideration the recommendations of
the commission and other relevant factors... the President determined
that the total remuneration of all public office bearers should be
adjusted by 5.5% with effect from 1 April 2012," his spokesperson
Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
"The President is empowered by the Remuneration of
Public Office Bearers Act, 1998... to determine salaries, allowances and
other benefits of the public office bearers."
The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers announced its recommendation on Wednesday.
Commission chair Judge Willie Seriti said the
proposal, which is 0.5% higher than last year's, enjoyed the
backing of the ministers consulted, notably Finance Minister Pravin
Gordhan.
It would increase the president's annual pay package up
to R2.6m and push that of a Cabinet member to just above the R2m mark.
Premiers would take home R1.88m a year, mayors just over R1m and Members of Parliament R889 383.
The commission said it based its recommendation on the
Consumer Price Index, the economic climate and market trends in salary
increases.
The recommendation was presented to Zuma in June. He
traditionally took a decision on the final figure within two to three
months, Seriti said.
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