Salary hikes for top politicians

'The recommendation is a slap in the face of South Africans who are struggling to make ends meet'

- THEOLIN TEMBO

PARTIES and experts have slammed the news that the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers has recommended a 4.1% salary increase for public office bearers for the 2025/2026 financial year.

The recommendation, published in a government gazette this week, proposed increases at the highest levels of government.

If approved, the president’s annual salary would rise by about R137000 to approximately R3.4 million. The deputy president would receive an increase of just under R130 000, taking his earnings to around R3.1m a year.

Cabinet ministers stand to benefit from an increase of about R110000, pushing their annual pay to roughly R2.8m. Deputy Ministers would earn more than R2.3m a year under the proposed adjustments.

The announcement comes at a time when ordinary South Africans face relentless financial pressure. Lower-income households are increasingly overwhelmed by debt, with many turning to informal lenders and loan sharks to cover basic expenses such as food, electricity and school costs.

High interest rates and unstable employment have left families trapped in cycles of borrowing, deepening poverty and desperation.