Ramaphosa advised to hike MPs’, judges’ pay, despite Godongwana’s objections

President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing a tough decision on whether to grant a recommended salary increase of 3.8% to top public servants, including Cabinet ministers, members of Parliament, judges, and traditional leaders.

This comes despite strong objections from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who urged the commission responsible for the recommendation to consider the country’s adverse economic conditions and the impact on the general population.

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The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-bearers, which is required by law to consider various factors and make a recommendation to the president, has proposed the increase.

The report, which was published by the Presidency on Friday, indicates that some judges have called for a higher increase, while others have opposed it, citing budget constraints and potential public backlash.

Godongwana proposes lower increase

According to the commission’s report, the finance minister recommended a lower increase of 1.5%, along with a once-off cash payment that would not affect future salary increases.

Meanwhile, some judges argued that the recommended increase of 3.8% does not adequately account for the inflationary erosion of judges’ salaries, which have reportedly decreased by 20.6% over the past seven years.

However, the justice minister has backed the commission’s recommendation of a 3.8% increase for both the judiciary and state institutions supporting democracy, including the Public Protector.

If the proposal is implemented, Ramaphosa’s annual salary would be just under R3.2 million, while other top officials, including the chief justice and National Assembly speaker, would earn just over R3 million per year.

Public servants overpaid

The proposed salary increase has sparked debate in South Africa, with a number of citizens arguing on social media for quite some time now that public servants are already overpaid.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Ramaphosa, who has a history of coming in below the commission’s recommendations.

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Last year, the commission recommended a 3% increase in remuneration across all categories of public office bearers, which Ramaphosa at the time approved.

As a result, this brought Ramaphosa’s salary to R3,079,540, while his deputy president earns R2,910,234 a year. Ministers currently earn R2,473,682 annually, while deputy ministers’ salaries earn R2,037,129 a year.