By Charmaine Ndlela
President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved a 3.5% salary increase for ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), premiers and provincial legislators for the 2026/27 financial year.
Judges, magistrates, traditional leaders and members of independent constitutional institutions will receive a higher adjustment of 4%.
The increases, which are backdated to 1 April 2026, follow recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, which advises the President on the salaries, allowances and benefits of public office-bearers.
The 3.5% increase applies to members of the National Executive, MPs, permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces, provincial premiers, members of provincial executive councils and members of provincial legislatures.
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The 4% adjustment covers judges of the Constitutional Court and other courts, magistrates, traditional leaders, members of the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, and members of independent constitutional institutions.
In arriving at its recommendations, the Commission considered several factors, including the responsibilities attached to public office, stakeholder submissions, fiscal affordability, historical inflation, inflation forecasts and wage settlement data.
It also took into account its previous recommendations, the President’s determination for the preceding financial year and average annual wage increases.
The recommendations are made in terms of section 219 of the Constitution, read with section 8(4) of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act of 1997.
The legislation requires the Commission to make annual recommendations on the salaries and upper limits of salaries, allowances and benefits of public office-bearers.
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Ramaphosa thanked the Commission for its work and consideration of the factors informing its recommendations.
He called on public office-bearers to remain accountable to the people they serve and fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to them.
The President also urged them to uphold their mandates and honour the public trust and expectations associated with their positions.
