Politicians aiming to grow ranks

Gauteng politicians, like their counterparts in the Western Cape, are mulling over a possible expansion of their gravy train.

In Gauteng there's been low-level talk of the legislature possibly accommodating more members due to a 15% increase in the province's population: to 12.2-million people between 2007 and 2011.

This could raise the number of MPLs from the current 73 to a maximum of 80. MPLs receive R860 787 annually, while committee chairmen, whips and the speaker can earn about R1-million.

In the Western Cape, DA leaders are pushing for the expansion of their legislature, which would increase the number of MPLs from the current 42 to a maximum of 58.

In Gauteng, premier Nomvula Mokonyane's political adviser, Mmusi Morako, revealed that there had been talks in the ANC caucus about expanding the size of the legislature.

"The number [of MPLs] must still be determined," said Morako, adding a change would need to be taken to the ANC's national executive committee for a resolution.

ANC leader in the Western Cape legislature Lynne Brown shot down the idea, saying it was not feasible and not a priority.

"The DA came to speak to me but I told them it's an organisational matter," said Brown.

For the number of Western Cape MPLs to be increased to the maximum of 58 it would require a change to the province's constitution and Brown said the DA did not have the necessary two-thirds support to do that.

But Western Cape deputy speaker Piet Pretorius said increasing the number of MPLs would ease the work of the legislature.

"We will be able to better serve our constituents and work in the legislature would also be easier, because there will be more members available to serve on the standing committees," said Pretorius.

ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the party's subcommittee on governance would advise the national executive on theexpansion of legislatures.

"So far it's not come up for discussion, and while there's been an increase [in population], the IEC might come up with a proposition [on seat allocations]," he said.

The IEC's Kate Bapela said final determination of the number of seats and whether these would be increased would only be made after the elections.