Public office bearers in line for a raise

The increase would be for the 2015/16 financial year for Zuma and all other Public Office bearers.

This would boost Zuma’s salary by over R100 000, from R2.75m to R2.89m, if approved.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would go from a R2.6m paycheck to just over R2.7m.

In a statement issued on Friday, the group suggested a 5% increase for the president, deputy president, Speaker of National Parliament, chairperson of National Council of Provinces, and chief justice, members of national and provincial executive, deputy ministers, members of Parliament and Provincial legislatures.

They also recommended a:

5% increase for the Deputy Chief Justice to Judge of Supreme the court of Appeal;

5.5% increase for the Judge President of High or Labour Court to Chief Magistrate;

6% for the position of Senior Magistrate and Magistrate.

Making their recommendations on public sector salaries, the commission recommended that local government public office bearers, including mayors and chief whips, get a 5.5% increase, while municipal councillors qualified for a 6% increase.

The commission submitted its recommendations to the President and Parliament on October 24 and 28 respectively, they said.

Other recommendations include:

5% increase for the leader of the opposition, Mmusi Maimane;

5% increase for leaders of minority parties including Julius Malema;

5.5% for a position of a King/Queen;

6% for a position of Chairperson of National House of Traditional Leaders and any Full-time member of Provincial House of Traditional Leaders;

8% for a position of Senior Traditional Leaders;

An amount of R 91 000 for a Headmen or Headwomen.

The commission said they acknowledged public office bearers responsibilities should depend "upon a spirit of self-sacrifice and volunteerism on their part for the public good. However such motivation should not require unreasonable sacrifices to their private lives".

In June this year, there was an outcry from political parties when Zuma’s increase came before Parliament for approval.

FF Plus called for the president's salary to be reduced to R1, while the EFF said the country already dressed him, fed him and did not need to give him anymore money.

(File photo)