Overview
- The Presidency announced Tuesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally determined salary increases for the 2026/27 year, to take effect from 1 April 2026 and be paid retroactively where applicable.
- A 3.5% raise applies to the national and provincial executives and legislatures, including ministers, MPs, premiers and MECs, while judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and members of independent constitutional institutions receive 4%.
- The decision follows recommendations from the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office‑Bearers, which weighed stakeholder input, the duties of each office, past recommendations, inflation forecasts, wage settlements and fiscal affordability.
- The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) rejected the 3.5% rise as "indefensible," citing high unemployment and poverty and saying the boost adds about R97,725 a year for a minister and R46,304 for an ordinary MP; the union has called for the increase to be reversed.
- The move raises political and fiscal questions: backdating increases means higher immediate costs for the state, media have flagged public unease, and the announcement could shape debates in Parliament and with unions over pay priorities and budget trade‑offs.