Mbeki determines pay for public office bearers

PRETORIA – Politicians and members of the judiciary, with the exception of magistrates, are to receive a maximum salary increase of six percent this year, the presidency announced on Thursday.

“President Thabo Mbeki has signed the proclamation determining salaries and allowances for various public office bearers in terms of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act,” it said in a statement. Mbeki’s decision comes after the recommendations of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, which last month proposed a seven percent increase.According to the proclamation, the salaries of office bearers at national level — the deputy president, ministers, deputy ministers, and MPs — as well as those of Constitutional Court and other judges would be increased by six percent.Magistrates would receive a 6,2 per cent increase.The upper salary limit of MPLs in the provinces would also be increased by six percent, with the premiers determining the actual increase.The upper limits of the salary and allowances of municipal councillors would be determined by the minister of provincial affairs and local government, after consultation with the relevant MECs.The actual salaries and allowances at that level would be determined by resolution in the municipal council, in consultation with the MEC.The remuneration of office bearers in various structures of traditional leadership would be determined by the president, after consultation with the relevant premiers.The remuneration of all members of the judiciary would be subject to approval by Parliament, while Mbeki’s salary would be determined by a resolution of the National Assembly, the statement said.-Nampa-SapaMbeki’s decision comes after the recommendations of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, which last month proposed a seven percent increase.According to the proclamation, the salaries of office bearers at national level — the deputy president, ministers, deputy ministers, and MPs — as well as those of Constitutional Court and other judges would be increased by six percent.Magistrates would receive a 6,2 per cent increase.The upper salary limit of MPLs in the provinces would also be increased by six percent, with the premiers determining the actual increase.The upper limits of the salary and allowances of municipal councillors would be determined by the minister of provincial affairs and local government, after consultation with the relevant MECs.The actual salaries and allowances at that level would be determined by resolution in the municipal council, in consultation with the MEC.The remuneration of office bearers in various structures of traditional leadership would be determined by the president, after consultation with the relevant premiers.The remuneration of all members of the judiciary would be subject to approval by Parliament, while Mbeki’s salary would be determined by a resolution of the National Assembly, the statement said.-Nampa-Sapa