The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers (“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 (“Commission Act”), to make annual recommendations relating to the salaries, benefits, allowances, and the resources required by Public Office Bearers to enable them to perform their respective duties effectively.
The Commission at its meetings of 09 May 2014 and 19 July 2014 discussed the annual remuneration recommendations for 2014/15. Subsequent to these meetings, the Commission consulted with the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, the Chief Justice, and the Lower Courts Remuneration Committee. Consultation was also extended to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Minister of Public Service and Administration.
The Commission at its meeting of 26 November 2014 discussed at length the stakeholders’ responses on the Commission’s annual remuneration recommendation for 2014/15 as received.
The Commission considered the comments and inputs from the relevant stakeholders and took into account other factors that are within its mandate in finalising its annual remuneration recommendations for 2014/15.
In terms of Section 8 (3B) (a) the Chairperson of the Commission recused himself from the deliberations of Judges and Magistrates remuneration given his conflicted position.
The Commission considered the following factors, namely:
- Section 8(6) of the Commission’s Act
- The level of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and its forecast
- Market salary increase during the past year
- Forecasted salary increase for the year ahead
- The economic and social environment
- The past recommendations together with the President’s determinations
- The inputs from key stakeholders in terms of the mandatory consultation requirements
The Commission is statutory obliged to make recommendations for salary adjustments of Public Office Bearers. After taking into account all relevant factors mentioned above together with the provisions of the applicable legislation, the Commission is proposing a 5% adjustment for Public Office Bearers earning more than R1 000 000 and 6% for public office bearers earning less than R1 000 000.
The effective date for salary adjustment for Public Office Bearers is 1 April 2014 and for local government Public Office Bearers it is 1 July 2014. The adjustments are recommended in order to align it with the financial year of Public Office Bearers’ institutions.
The Commission submitted the aforementioned 2014/15 recommendations to the President and Parliament. Comprehensive information of the recommendations is contained on Government Gazette No.38433 that will be published on 29 January 2015. The Gazette is also available online at www.gpwonline.co.za or remcommission.gov.za.
All enquiries should be directed to:
Adv. N Sephoti
Cell: 082 921 7902
Mr C Economou
Cell: 082 852 6031
