By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider 

Members of the National Assembly have just approved the pay hike of President Cyril Ramaphosa from R3.3m to 3.8%. The increase followed a recommendation by the Independent Commission of the Remuneration of Public Office bearers as they had initially approved a 4.1% pay increase. 

Most parties stood behind the approval of the President’s pay rise including parties that are members of the Government Of National Unity (GNU) such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkhata Freedom Party (IFP) and Patriotic Alliance, however there were parties that expressed dismay over this decision.

 Poppy Mailola of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) had voiced his despondency over the pay rise, expressing that it is unjustified, highlighting that the economy isn’t growing fast enough as ordinary workers in certain private sectors had not received any pay raises.

 “We are talking about a 3.8% increase on a salary of nearly R4m per year. This is not an increase in poverty wages; this is not an increase for workers who are struggling. This is an increase on an already extremely comfortable salary. This President should be leading by example; he should be standing here and saying. ‘I have my billions; please do not increase my salary. In fact, take my salary and give it to the Marikana widows.” said Mailola.

 “Workers are not getting salary increases. We’re told that the economy is not growing fast enough. We are told that there is no fiscal space. Why should this president get an increase? What has he done to deserve this? How do we justify this to our people? We need our conscience to guide us when we justify this 3.8 inflationary adjustment when the likelihood is that our workers are not getting an increase” said Mailola.

 Umkhonto Wesizwe party (MK Party) representative, Mzwanele Manyi, expressed that they also did not approve of Ramaphosa’s salary increase.

“If this 3.8% salary increase was structured as a performance bonus linked to achieving NDP targets, reducing unemployment, accelerating growth, stabilising energy supply, and cutting inequality, the MK party would reject it out of hand” said Manyi.

 “In fact, if this were truly about performance, the MK Party would not be debating a salary increment today; we would instead be submitting a motion of no confidence. South Africa deserves leadership that meets targets, restores hope, and delivers measurable progress, not leadership that is insulated from consequences of its failures” said Manyi.

Certain members of Parliament from the DA, Bax Nodado, expressed that the DA approves of the salary hike and instead criticised the fact that the secretary to parliament, Xolile George stated that his salary was 2m more than the president. 

“Members might know that the secretary’s salary jumped by more than 70%, a mere six months after his appointment in 2022, an absolute disgrace when South Africans continue to suffer under employment and violent crime” said Nodado