Labour federation COSATU has criticised the approval of a 3.5% salary increase for politicians, describing the adjustment as excessive and out of touch with the financial struggles facing ordinary South Africans.
The criticism follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approval of the salary increase for Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, provincial legislatures and municipal councillors.
COSATU said the increase sends an “ill-considered message” to an increasingly frustrated public, reinforcing perceptions of a political elite disconnected from the realities experienced by ordinary citizens.
The federation added that recent local government election results highlighted the extent of public anger and frustration with political leadership.
COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks questioned the decision, arguing that government had approved additional funding for politicians at a time when the state was struggling to meet several of its constitutional obligations.
“Government has endorsed this tone-deaf proposal. It is beyond shameful that whilst government has consistently refused to provide inflationary relief for the 8 million unemployed SRD grant recipients, it has found an additional half a billion rand to fund the salaries of politicians,” Parks said.
He also raised concerns about the inclusion of approximately 9,300 municipal councillors, arguing that the state of municipalities had deteriorated significantly under their watch.
Under the approved adjustment, ministers and deputy ministers, who already earn more than R2 million annually, will receive increases ranging between R80,000 and R98,000.
Members of the National Assembly will receive an additional R46,000 or more, bringing their annual salaries close to R1.4 million.
COSATU maintains that the salary adjustment is unjustified, particularly given the country’s high unemployment levels, financial pressures and ongoing challenges in public service delivery.
