- The Commission is statutorily obliged, by virtue of section 8 (4) and (5) of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act 1997 (“the Commission Act”), to make annual recommendations relating to the salaries or upper limits of the salaries, allowances, benefits, and the resources (tools of trade) required by POBs to enable them to perform their respective duties effectively.
- For the 2014/2015 financial year, the Commission recommended a cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) of 5% for POBs earning an annual remuneration package of more than R1 000 000 and 6% for POBs earning less than an annual remuneration package of R1 000 000. The President on determining the annual remuneration for 2014/2015 acceded to the proposed recommendations of the Commission.
- During the Commission’s strategic planning session held on 30 - 31 January 2015, stakeholder management was identified as one of the Commission’s objectives. To this end, the Commission drew an engagement plan and conducted stakeholder engagements with the following stakeholders: Legislative Sector Forum (LSF), Provincial Legislatures (PL), National and Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders (N/PHTL) and the Judiciary. The aim was to hear and collate all the concerns and challenges that affect the remuneration of POBs in totality, so as to inform the decision making process of the Commission in making annual remuneration recommendations that are independent, transparent, accountable and sustainable.
- The Commission fully acknowledges that the POBs responsibilities should depend, to a considerable degree, upon a spirit of self-sacrifice and volunteerism on their part for the public good. However such motivation should not require unreasonable sacrifices to their private lives.
Commission’s deliberations on the annual remuneration recommendations
- The Commission met on 21 – 22 August 2015 to draft an interim proposal taking account of the current economic climate, feedback received from the stakeholder management sessions and other factors as set out in the Commission Act and their process. This interim proposal was then discussed with its statutory stakeholders (i.e. the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, the Minister of Finance and the Chief Justice).
- After consulting with the aforementioned statutory stakeholders, the Commission held a meeting on 17 October 2015 to discuss the feedback received. At this meeting the recommendations were finalised.
- In terms of Section 8 (3B) (a) the Chairperson of the Commission recused himself during the deliberations on the remuneration of the Judiciary.
Factors considered for the annual remuneration recommendations
- The Commission in making its 2015/2016 recommendations considered the comments and inputs from the stakeholders and took into account matters that are within its mandate.
- The following factors, as provided for in section 8(6) of the Commission Act, were also considered:
- The role, status, duties, functions and responsibilities of the POBs
- Economic Conditions
- Current principles and levels of remuneration
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Future Forecast
- The past recommendations and the President’s determinations
Annual remuneration recommendations for POBs for 2015/2016
- After considering the relevant legislation and factors mentioned above, including the inputs of all stakeholders who provided such inputs, the Commission is recommending the following annual remuneration adjustments for POBs for 2015/2016 financial year:
- The President, Deputy President, Speaker of National Parliament, Chairperson of National Council of Provinces, and Chief Justice
- 5% for the remuneration of the President and all anchor positions of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary, in order to maintain the equal status of the three arms of state.
- Members of National and Provincial Executive, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and Provincial legislatures
- 5% for all POBs of the above structures. In making the recommendations for the above Members, the Commission considered the additional benefits that are prescribed by their institutional handbooks and prescripts which augment their remuneration package of these POBs and to an extent act as a buffer to the direct effects of inflation.
- Judges and Magistrates
- 5% from the position of Deputy Chief Justice to Judge of Supreme Court of Appeal;
- 5.5% from the position of Judge President of High/Labour Court to Chief Magistrate; and
- 6% for the position of Senior Magistrate and Magistrate.
- Local Government POBs
- 5.5% from position of Executive Mayor to Whip; and
- 6% for position of Municipal Councillor.
- Traditional Leaders
- 5.5% for a position of a King / Queen;
- 6% from a position of Chairperson of National House of Traditional Leaders to a Full-time member of Provincial House of Traditional Leaders;
- 8% for a position of Senior Traditional Leaders; and
- An amount of R 91 000 for the Headmen / Headwomen.
The remuneration scales are attached as schedule 1 to 7.
- The Commission submitted the aforementioned 2015/2016 recommendations to the President and Parliament on 24 October 2015 and 28 October 2015 respectively. Comprehensive information of the recommendations is contained on Government Gazette No. 39428 published on 20 November 2015. The Gazette is also available online at www.gpwonline.co.za or remcommission.gov.za.
Schedule 1 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 APRIL 2015 |
|||||
National Executive and Deputy Ministers |
|||||
Grade |
Pay level |
Position |
01-Apr-14 |
01-Apr-15 |
Proposed % |
EA |
1 |
President |
2 753 689 |
2 891 373 |
5% |
EB |
1 |
Deputy President |
2 602 297 |
2 732 412 |
|
EC |
1 |
Minister |
2 211 937 |
2 322 534 |
|
ED |
1 |
Deputy Minister |
1 821 577 |
1 912 656 |
Sshedule 2 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 APRIL 2015 |
|||||
Members of Parliament |
|||||
Grade |
Pay Level |
Position |
01-Apr-14 |
01-Apr-15 |
Proposed % |
PA |
1 |
Speaker: National Assembly |
2 602 297 |
2 732 412 |
5% |
|
|
Chairperson: NCOP |
2 602 297 |
2 732 412 |
|
PB |
1 |
Deputy Speaker: National Assembly |
1 821 577 |
1 912 656 |
|
|
|
Deputy Chairperson: NCOP |
1 821 577 |
1 912 656 |
|
|
2 |
House Chairperson |
1 691 508 |
1 776 084 |
|
PC |
1 |
Chief Whip: Majority Party |
1 431 218 |
1 502 778 |
|
|
|
Chief Whip: NCOP |
1 431 218 |
1 502 778 |
|
|
|
Parliamentary Counsellor: President |
1 431 218 |
1 502 778 |
|
|
|
Parliamentary Counsellor: Deputy President |
1 431 218 |
1 502 778 |
|
|
|
Leader of Opposition |
1 431 218 |
1 502 778 |
|
|
2 |
Chairperson of a Committee |
1 301 148 |
1 366 206 |
|
PD |
1 |
Deputy Chief Whip: Majority Party |
1 171 079 |
1 229 633 |
|
|
|
Chief Whip: Largest Minority Party |
1 171 079 |
1 229 633 |
|
|
|
Leader of a Minority Party |
1 171 079 |
1 229 633 |
|
|
2 |
Whip |
1 086 702 |
1 141 037 |
|
PE |
1 |
Member: National Assembly |
989 883 |
1 039 377 |
|
|
|
Permanent Delegate: NCOP |
989 883 |
1 039 377 |
Schedule 3 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015 |
|||||
Provincial Executives and Legislatures |
|||||
Grade |
Pay Level |
Position |
01-Apr-14 |
01-Apr-15 |
Proposed % |
LA |
1 |
Premier |
2 081 868 |
2 185 961 |
5% |
LB |
1 |
Member of Executive Council |
1 821 577 |
1 912 656 |
|
|
|
Speaker |
1 821 577 |
1 912 656 |
|
LC |
1 |
Deputy Speaker |
1 431 218 |
1 502 778 |
|
|
|
Chief Whip: Majority Party |
1 301 148 |
1 366 206 |
|
|
2 |
Chairperson of Committees |
1 171 080 |
1 229 634 |
|
|
|
Leader of Opposition |
1 171 080 |
1 229 634 |
|
|
|
Chairperson of a Committee |
1 171 080 |
1 229 634 |
|
|
3 |
Deputy Chairperson of Committees |
1 101 780 |
1 156 869 |
|
|
|
Deputy Chief Whip: Majority Party |
1 101 780 |
1 156 869 |
|
|
|
Chief Whip: Largest Minority Party |
1 101 780 |
1 156 869 |
|
|
|
Leader of a Minority Party |
1 101 780 |
1 156 869 |
|
LD |
1 |
Parliamentary Counsellor to a King |
989 883 |
1 039 377 |
|
|
|
Whip |
989 883 |
1 039 377 |
|
|
2 |
Member of Provincial Legislature |
958 056 |
1 005 958 |
Schedule 4 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 July 2015 |
|||||
Local Government |
|||||
Grade |
Pay Level |
Position |
01-Jul-14 |
01-Jul-15 |
Proposed % |
MA |
1 |
Executive Mayor |
1 177 638 |
1 242 408 |
5.5% |
|
|
Mayor |
1 177 638 |
1 242 408 |
|
MB |
1 |
Deputy Executive Mayor |
951 084 |
1 003 393 |
|
|
|
Speaker/Chairperson |
951 084 |
1 003 393 |
|
|
|
Deputy Mayor |
951 084 |
1 003 393 |
|
MC |
2 |
Member of Executive Council |
891 640 |
940 680 |
|
|
|
Member of Mayoral Committee |
891 640 |
940 680 |
|
|
|
Chairperson of a Sub-council |
891 640 |
940 680 |
|
|
|
Whip |
891 640 |
940 680 |
|
MD |
1 |
Municipal Councillor |
489 868 |
519 261 |
6% |
Schedule 5 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015 |
|||||
Judges |
|||||
Grade |
Pay Level |
Position |
01-Apr-14 |
01-Apr-15 |
Proposed % |
JA |
1 |
Chief Justice |
2 602 297 |
2 732 412 |
5% |
JB |
1 |
Deputy Chief Justice |
2 342 006 |
2 459 106 |
|
|
|
President: Supreme Court of Appeal |
2 342 006 |
2 459 106 |
|
JC |
1 |
Deputy President: Supreme Court of Appeal |
2 211 937 |
2 322 534 |
|
|
2 |
Judge: Constitutional Court |
2 081 868 |
2 185 961 |
|
|
|
Judge: Supreme Court of Appeal |
2 081 868 |
2 185 961 |
|
|
3 |
Judge President: High/Labour Court |
1 951 799 |
2 059 148 |
5.5% |
|
4 |
Deputy Judge President: High/Labour Court |
1 821 577 |
1 921 764 |
|
|
5 |
Judge: High/Labour Court |
1 691 508 |
1 784 541 |
SCHEDULE 6 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015 |
|||||
Magistrates |
|||||
Grade |
Pay Level |
Position |
01-Apr-14 |
01-Apr-15 |
Proposed % |
JD |
1 |
Special Grade Chief Magistrate |
1 171 079 |
1 235 489 |
5.5% |
|
|
Regional Court President |
1 171 079 |
1 235 489 |
|
JE |
1 |
Regional Magistrate |
1 050 771 |
1 108 563 |
|
|
|
Chief Magistrate |
1 050 771 |
1 108 563 |
|
JF |
1 |
Senior Magistrate |
866 878 |
918 891 |
6% |
JG |
1 |
Magistrate |
788 155 |
835 444 |
Schedule 7 |
|||||
Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015 |
|||||
Traditional Leaders |
|||||
Grade |
Pay Level |
Full time positions |
01-Apr-14 |
01-Apr-15 |
Proposed % |
TA |
1 |
King/Queen |
1 078 599 |
1 137 922 |
5.5% |
TB |
1 |
Chairperson: NHTL |
771 549 |
817 842 |
6% |
|
2 |
Full time Chairperson: PHTL |
635 475 |
673 603 |
|
|
3 |
Deputy Chairperson: NHTL |
590 117 |
625 524 |
|
|
4 |
Full time Deputy Chairperson: PHTL |
544 605 |
577 281 |
|
TC |
1 |
Full time Member: NHTL |
317 661 |
336 720 |
|
|
2 |
Full time Member: PHTL |
272 302 |
288 641 |
|
TD |
1 |
Senior Traditional Leader |
199 729 |
215 708 |
8% |
TE |
1 |
Headmen / Headwomen |
84 125 |
91 000 |
|
|
|
Part time positions* |
|
|
|
|
|
Part time Member: NHTL |
1 144 |
1 235 |
8% |
|
|
Part time Chairperson: PHTL |
1 361 |
1 470 |
8% |
|
|
Part time Deputy Chairperson: PHTL |
1 224 |
1 322 |
8% |
|
|
Part time Member: PHTL |
949 |
1 025 |
8% |
* In addition to sitting allowances, part time members are entitled to their salaries as Traditional Leaders, as well as subsistence costs (reasonable and actual expenses) and transport costs (Department of Transport tariffs for the use of privately owned vehicles), for their attendance of official meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences of the respective Houses) |
Enquiries:
Adv. N Sephoti
Cell: 082 921 7902
Mr C Economou
Cell: 082 852 6031