At least nine of the University of South Africa’s (Unisa) top 28 officials earn considerably more than President Thabo Mbeki does — including his car allowance.
At least 19 of the 28 earn more than Mbeki, excluding the allowance, Minister of Education Naledi Pandor has revealed in a written reply to a parliamentary question by the Democratic Alliance’s Helen Zille.
In August, the National Assembly approved a total remuneration package of R1 117 199 a year for Mbeki.
This included an R837 899 salary and R279 299 car allowance.
In her reply to Zille’s question, Pandor said the Unisa figures come from its 2004 annual report. The university’s salary bill for its top 28 officials came to almost R28-million that year.
Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Barney Pityana took home R1,573-million and his deputy, vice-chancellor Professor N Mathebe, even more, at R1,664-million.
Both registrars — professors TH Links and L Molamu — also took home significantly more than Mbeki’s total package, as did five of the six vice-principals — professors D Mosoma, G Cronje, AH Louw, CF Swanepoel and N Baijnath.
Seven of the 13 executive directors earned between R1,017-million and R914 000, another three between R850 000 and R813 000, and the remaining three from R558 000 to R530 000.
The five executive deans took home between R827 000 and R767 000 each, Pandor said.
Pandor said her department is ”not currently” investigating the issue of executive salaries at universities.
”In this regard I am awaiting the outcome of an investigation by Higher Education South Africa.”
After receiving this report, she said she will determine whether any further investigation is necessary. — Sapa, I-Net Bridge