Annual remuneration recommendations for public office bearers for 2015/2016

20 Nov 2015

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 ofProvinces, 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

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Schedule 3

Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015

Provincial Executives and Legislatures

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Schedule 5

Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015

Judges

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SCHEDULE 6

Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015

Magistrates

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Schedule 7

Remuneration levels with effect 01 April 2015

Traditional Leaders

* 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)

Statement issued by Government Communications, 20 November 2015