Tshwane can't afford 5% salary hikes for public reps, says councillor who voted against increase

JOHANNESBURG - The one Tshwane councillor who voted against the five percent salary increases for public representatives says the municipality cannot afford it. 

At a special council sitting on Friday, Tshwane councillors overwhelmingly voted to increase their salaries by five percent and also their other benefits. 

The increases are in line with the determinations recently gazetted by the minister of COGTA for the maximum salary limits that can be paid out to public representatives.

Since 2020, Tshwane councillors have not received a salary increase due to the municipality’s financial constraints. 

Republican Conference of Tshwane councillor, Lex Middelberg, was the only one among his colleagues who voted against the five percent increase. 

Middelberg said this is not the right time as the municipality’s financial condition had not improved and residents were struggling to pay their bills. 

"It’s just not really tasteful to do it that way and I wanted to highlight exactly these issues in which residents are struggling and why it is inappropriate for councillors to take increases at this stage."

The increases take effect from 1 July 2024, meaning councillors will receive a lump sum in back pay.