National Assembly approves 3.8% salary hike for President Ramaphosa amid opposition backlash

The National Assembly has approved a 3.8% salary hike for President Cyril Ramaphosa, with some political parties challenging him to forego the increase that will take his annual salary to R3.4 million.

It’s been just over a month since the president approved the same increase to ministers and other parliamentarians, but some opposition parties are of the view that his performance is undeserving of the pay hike.

Others believe he should set an example in tough economic times, especially given that he’s a billionaire.

While the African National Congress's (ANC) deputy chief whip, Doris Dlakude, has pointed out that Chief Executive Officers in both the public and private sectors earn far more than the president, the Democratic Alliance's (DA) deputy chief whip, Baxolile Nodada, reminded the house that so does Parliament’s top executive, Xolile George.

"And while the president will now earn more, the secretary to this parliament earns approximately R2million than the president a year. "

The Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) Poppy Mailola is of the view that the president should set an example by foregoing the salary hike.

"He should be standing here and saying: “I have my billions, please do not increase my salary, in fact, take my salary and give it to the Marikana widows”.

Although the MK Party did not reject the increase, MP Mzwanele Manyi said Ramaphosa has failed to lift millions of South Africans out of poverty.

"Instead of bold structural reform, decisive governance, South Africa has experienced drift, indecision and policy inconsistency. "

Meanwhile, ActionSA’s Athol Trollip said while it would be hypocritical for MPs to reject the salary proposal when they received the same, the president and his cabinet receive far more state-paid perks than ordinary MPs do.

The salary hike will also apply to the salary for life paid to former presidents.