Ramaphosa approves pay rises of up to 4% for politicians, judges and public office-bearers - IOL

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases of between 3.5% and 4% for public office-bearers, backdated to 1 April 2026.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has approved salary increases of between 3.5% and 4% for public office-bearers for the 2026/27 financial year, with the adjustments backdated to 1 April 2026.

The increases will apply to members of Cabinet, Parliament and provincial legislatures, as well as premiers and members of provincial executive councils.

They will receive a 3.5% salary adjustment, while judges, magistrates and traditional leaders will get an increase of 4%.

The higher adjustment also applies to members of the National and Provincial Houses of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, as well as members of independent constitutional institutions.

The Presidency announced the decision on Tuesday, saying it followed recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers and Ramaphosa’s consideration of the country's serious economic challenges.

The commission is constitutionally mandated to make annual recommendations on the salaries, allowances and benefits of public office-bearers. Its considerations include the responsibilities attached to each position, stakeholder submissions, inflation, wage settlements and the affordability of proposed increases.

The commission also takes account of previous salary determinations and average annual wage adjustments when formulating its recommendations.

The latest decision comes against a backdrop of pressure on government finances and ongoing cost-of-living challenges for households.

Ramaphosa thanked the commission for its work, saying its recommendations had been subject to careful scrutiny.

He also urged public office-bearers to fulfil their responsibilities and respect the public trust placed in them.

The Presidency did not provide individual revised salary figures in its announcement. The increases apply to the specified categories of public office-bearers and should not be confused with a general salary adjustment for all public servants.