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The National Assembly has approved President Jacob Zuma's salary increase to R2.87 million a year, despite vehement objection from opposition parties.
The increase will be backdated to April.
The Independent Commission on the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers recommended in November last year a 5% salary increase for the president and other public office bearers for the 2015-2016 financial year.
This took Zuma’s salary from R2.75 million to almost R2.9 million a year.
Acting chief whip of the ANC, Doris Dlakude, tabled the motion, which sought the house to approve the recommendation by stating that: “The house in terms of section 2(1) of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, and having due regard to the criteria listed in that subsection, determines that the salary payable to the president of the Republic of South Africa shall be R2 874 851 with effect from April 1 2015; and in terms of section 2(2) of the Act, further determines that the amount of R120 000 per annum as that portion of the remuneration of the president to which section 8(1)(d) of the Income Tax Act, Act shall apply.”
Opposition parties heckled Dlakude when she mentioned the proposed salary, with the two biggest opposition parties – the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters immediately registering their objections. They sought to amend Dlakude’s motion, with DA MP Sej Motau proposing that Zuma’s salary remain unchanged at the existing level of remuneration “in light of the reckless actions taken by the president in December last year and their devastating effect on the South African economy and the pensions of millions of South Africans”.
The EFF’s Sam Matiase proposed that Zuma’s salary be “suspended indefinitely” since “he had admitted he unduly benefited from Nkandla upgrades and now he wants to pay back the money”.
Matiase said Zuma did not deserve any salary increment or adjustment.
Both their amendments were rejected by a vote.
Then all the parties in the assembly had an opportunity to make remarks on Dlakude’s proposal.
Of the 11 parties that participated, only four were opposed to the increase. The smaller parties and the ANC supported the motion.
The Congress of the People’s Deidre Carter said her party rejected any increase in Zuma’s salary because he did not deserve it and South Africans didn’t deserve him as president.
“It would seem appropriate for the president to approach the Guptas for an increase,” she added.
EFF MP Thembinkosi Rawula said South Africa must be the only country in the world where a president could abuse state resources, collapse the integrity of state security agencies, allow for a breach of national security and admit to a full bench of judges that he unduly benefited from taxpayers’ money … but still receive a salary.
DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said he was speaking about the 8.3 million people who were unemployed, and millions who saved up for pensions, but their pensions were significantly destroyed by Zuma’s actions in December.
“I think it’s grotesque to compare the work, we as members of Parliament have done diligently, with the irresponsibility of President Zuma.”
“It is grotesque that we want to give this man an increase in his salary; he wants to junk South Africa but wants an increase from the taxpayer.”
Steenhuisen was referring to comments by Inkatha Freedom Party, United Democratic Movement and Agang MPs who said it was hypocritical for MPs to oppose a salary increase for the president, when they themselves received increases.
The UDM’s Nqaba Kwankwa said MPs were all smiles yesterday morning when they received their own increases.
The IFP’s Narend Singh shared the same sentiment, saying if MPs genuinely cared for the poor, they should have rejected their own increases and gave the money to the poor.
Dlakude, closing the debate, said it was a pity that all MPs received salary increases, which were signed by Zuma “without thinking twice” or discriminating against anyone.
“Even the racists received that salary increase in this house,” she said.
She added: “The president will receive his salary increase whether you like it or not. He is still the president of this country, whether he shuffles his Cabinet, he doesn’t need to consult anyone, it is his constitutional right. Live with it,” she concluded.
When the matter was put to a vote, 172 MPs voted in support of a salary increase for the president, and 82 voted against.
