The Zimbabwean government has nearly quadrupled President Robert Mugabe’s official salary and backdated the increase to January 1, the state Herald newspaper reported on Saturday.
Mugabe’s general allowances for housing and living expenses were doubled, according to an official government notice issued in the Herald.
The notice said Mugabe’s annual salary was increased to Z$73,7-million (about R115 000), from Z$20,2-million (about R31 000).
Previous large pay increases for Mugabe and his ministers have been criticized as Zimbabwe faces its worst economic crisis since its 1980 independence from Britain. About 70% of the 12,5-million population is living in poverty.
Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence, and senior ruling-party officials are exempted from most routine taxes and receive official limousines and other benefits.
The average per capita income in Zimbabwe is about R2 600 a year.
Annual inflation is 602%, one of the highest rates in the world. Zimbabwe is facing acute shortages of food, hard currency, gasoline and other essential goods. Unemployment is estimated at more than 70%. — Sapa-AP