BusinessLive reports that the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers has recommended a 4% pay raise for public office bearers, including the president, ministers, members of the judiciary, mayors and traditional leaders, among others.  

But, the government has consistently complained of an unsustainable public sector wage bill that amounts to more than R587bn.  If the recommendation gets the green light, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s salary will increase from R2,989,845 to R3,109,439 a year, while chief justice Mogoeng Mogoeng’s pay will go up to R2,938,488 from R2,825,470.  The remuneration commission makes annual recommendations regarding the salaries, allowances and benefits of public office bearers, which can only be implemented with the approval of the president.  On Tuesday, union federation Cosatu called on Ramaphosa to reject the recommendation.  Describing the 4% as “outlandish”, the federation said it was inconceivable “for any properly adjusted people” to effect such hikes in the face of mass retrenchments and unemployment, the deteriorating socio-economic status of the majority of South Africans and increasing poverty rates.

• Read the full original report by Theto Mahlakoana at BusinessLive
• Read Cosatu’s press statement in this regard at Politicsweb

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