Assembly approves pay hike for Zuma

The National Assembly has approved a salary increase of 5% for President Jacob Zuma, effective from April 1 this year.

Zuma now earns R2 485 839 a year - up from R2 367 466 last year.

The House also approved that Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe continue to receive the pension benefits of a former president only, and no salary for his services as deputy president.

However, he would also receive those benefits and privileges necessary to enable him to carry out his functions.

Motlanthe served as president from September 25  2008 to May 6  2009.

In terms of the constitution, the Assembly must approve the president's salary. He, in turn, approves MPs' salaries.

Last month, Zuma accepted the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers' recommendation of a 5% increase in the pay packages of public office bearers.

In terms of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, the Magistrates Act, and the Judge's Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, the salaries and allowances of public office bearers are determined by the president, after taking into account a number of issues.

These include the commission's recommendations, affordability, level of remuneration in society in general, promotion of equality and uniformity of salaries, and inflation.