Fin24 reports that the Presidency on Friday published the annual recommendation of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-bearers, which must by law consider a range of factors, then give President Cyril Ramaphosa a recommendation.

He was advised that the top echelon of SA’s public servants – including cabinet ministers, MPs, judges, and traditional leaders – should get salary increases of 3.8%. This was even though finance minister Enoch Godongwana wanted to see a much lower number. Ramaphosa is ultimately responsible for deciding the pay of those office bearers, and he has a track record of coming in below the commission's recommendation. The commission reported that during its consultations, Godongwana "pleaded with the commission to consider the prevailing adverse economic conditions and the extent to which the general population is affected by the low economic state in which the country finds itself." Godongwana recommended 1.5%, plus a once-off cash payment. The Lower Courts Remuneration Committee, which effectively represents 1,620 magistrates, argued for nothing lower than a 7% increase. Meanwhile, the Heads of Court Committee on Judges Remuneration, speaking for 237 judges, submitted numbers on the "inflationary erosion of judges' salaries" in terms of which they earned an effective 20.6% less than they did seven years ago. However, justice minister Ronald Lamola supported a 3.8% recommendation for both the judiciary and state institutions supporting democracy, such as the Public Protector.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phillip de Wet at Fin24
• Read too, Treasury warns proposed 3.8% pay hike for public office bearers is ‘tone-deaf’, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

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