The South African Parliament officially closed for the year on Thursday with MPs voting for a 7,6% salary increase for President Thabo Mbeki, to R1,27-million a year, backdated to April 1.
It was far short of the nearly 60% increase from R1,18-million to R1,89-million recommended by the independent Moseneke Commission in its review of salary packages and benefits for public office-bearers.
The commission’s report earlier this year caused an outcry, particularly among ordinary MPs unhappy with their proposed 5,4% hike, the Cape Times reported.
In terms of the Constitution, the National Assembly must approve the president’s salary. He, in turn, approves MPs’ salaries.
Mbeki asked the commission to consider an inflation-linked salary for the year while he considered its controversial report, aimed at finding a fair and transparent remuneration system, in more depth, the paper reported.
The commission duly recommended a 7,5% across-the-board increase, in line with what public servants received earlier in the year.
The newspaper reported that Mbeki will earn about R300 000 less than the secretary of Parliament, Zingila Dingani, who received a 23% increase this year.
According to the Moseneke Commission’s report, the president also earns far less than CEOs at parastatals.
Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni received R2,8-million last year, the Cape Times reported. — Sapa