South African MPs have received a salary hike of about 9% — slightly above the April consumer price index (CPI) figure of 8,8%.
The recommendation for the pay rise was made last December by the Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, headed by Judge Richard Goldstone.
The decision to accept the commission’s recommendation would have been taken before the latest CPI figures — running at 12,5% — were announced.
The pay adjustment figures were recently promulgated in the Government Gazette by President Thabo Mbeki and Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, and this year’s Budget allocated R183-million to pay for them.
According to the gazette, the MPs’ pay rise will be backdated to April 1 with the most junior MP earning a package of R346 140 a year, including a car allowance of R69 228 and a basic salary of R276 912. This amounts to R28 845 a month before tax.
This lowest category only applies to MPs sworn in since the last election in 1999. Re-elected members now enjoy a package of R380 772 including a car allowance of R76 152 and a basic salary of R304 608. The package amounts to R31 731 a month.
Committee chairpersons, depending on seniority, will enjoy annual salaries from R418 365 including a car allowance of R83 673 up to R460 185 a year with a car allowance of R92 037.
The highest paid MPs, excluding ministers, are Speaker of Parliament Frene Ginwala and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Naledi Pandor.
Each earns R746 535 a year including car allowances worth R149 307.
However, in spite of the pay rise, a huge question mark remains about whether conditions are sufficient to prevent highly skilled politicians from leaving mainstream politics.
Two prominent committee chairpersons — Mpho Scott of the home affairs portfolio committee and Nkenke Kekana of the communications portfolio committee — have recently resigned from Parliament to pursue careers in the more lucrative private sector.