Better pay for public office bearers will help combat corruption, the head of the statutory body tasked with reviewing their remuneration said on Friday.
Judge Dikgang Moseneke made the remark as the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers released what it said was a major review, after handing it to President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday.
The review makes recommendations on the pay and benefits of politicians, including President Thabo Mbeki, Cabinet ministers, MPs, members of provincial legislatures, judges, magistrates and local government councillors.
Moseneke said in a statement accompanying the release that the review was ”aimed at furthering South Africa’s constitutional democracy through effective governance practices”.
”We believe that transparent and fair remuneration arrangements will lead to good government.
”A justifiable remuneration regime will aid in combating corruption and other crime related to levels of remuneration and allocation of ill-regulated benefits and allowances,” he said.
He said work on the review started in 2004.
Its main aim was to provide recommendations for a ”fair and transparent remuneration system” for public office bearers.
Since the advent of constitutional democracy in South Africa, the roles and duties of public office bearers had undergone radical change.
Yet this was the first time there had been a review of the structure and levels of public office-bearer remuneration.
There were ”significant disparities and inequities” in the current system.
To determine international best practice, the commission had conducted research and visited Australia, Canada and the United Nations headquarters.
”Although the commission’s recommendations may carry with them increased costs in some instances, they are intended to provide additional flexibility and choice, which is important in attracting appropriate skills and talent to public office,” he said. — Sapa