South Africa Increases Public Servants' Salaries

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases for public office-bearers, effective from April 1, 2026, the presidency said on Tuesday.

The decision follows recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, which proposed a 4.1% adjustment for all public office bearers.

After considering the recommendations and their impact on public finances, Ramaphosa has “decided to increase the salary of public office-bearers by 4.1% and 3.8% in different categories.”

“The increase of 4.1% applies to judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and members of independent constitutional institutions,” according to the presidency.

It added that the 3.8% increase applies to members of the National Executive, members of Parliament, members of provincial executive councils, and members of provincial legislatures.

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Under South Africa’s constitution and relevant legislation, the commission is required to make annual recommendations on the salaries, allowances, and benefits of public office-bearers.

In doing so, it must consider the role, status, duties, functions and responsibilities of the office-bearers concerned; the affordability of different levels of remuneration of public office-bearers; current principles and levels of remuneration, particularly in respect of organs of state; inflation; available resources of the state; and public service remuneration levels.