President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases for public office-bearers that will take effect from 1 April, drawing sharp criticism from trade union federation Cosatu.
The increases, gazetted on 20 January, will see different categories of public officials receive either 4.1% or 3.8% salary adjustments. Judges, magistrates, traditional leaders, and members of independent constitutional institutions will receive 4.1%, whilst members of the National Executive, parliamentarians, provincial executive council members, and provincial legislators will receive 3.8%.
The decision follows recommendations from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, which had proposed a uniform 4.1% increase across all categories. The president’s determination represents a slight reduction for political office-bearers.
The Independent Commission is mandated by the Constitution and the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act of 1997 to make annual recommendations on salaries and benefits. In reaching its decision, the commission must consider factors including the roles and responsibilities of office-bearers, affordability, inflation, available state resources, and public service remuneration levels.
However, Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks, said the trade union federation is dismayed by the increases, particularly as they include 9,331 local government councillors. He noted that many municipalities are failing to pay employees’ salaries, pensions, medical aid contributions, and taxes, with some on the verge of collapse.
The union federation pointed to what it described as contradictions in government spending priorities. Parks highlighted that the increases will cost an additional R536 million in a financial year that saw a 2% VAT increase, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana warning in late 2025 that further tax hikes may be necessary in 2026.
ALSO READ: Government ghost workers are sucking the taxpayer dry
Cosatu also noted that income tax brackets for lower and middle-income earners have not been adjusted for inflation for two successive years, the Social Relief of Distress Grant has not been adjusted for inflation in four of the past five years, and staff at the Post Office and SABC have not received increases for three years.
The trade union federation said it supports salary adjustments for magistrates, citing the need to retain skilled professionals in an overwhelmed judicial system. However, it argued that public representatives should lead by example during periods of fiscal constraint.
Cosatu has called for the Remuneration Commission to submit its proposals for public comment before presenting them to the president, and for increases to be linked to the performance of public representatives and the institutions they oversee.
