Ramaphosa Approves Public Office-Bearers’ Pay Hikes from April

President Cyril Ramaphosa has determined salary increases for public office-bearers, with effect from 1 April 2026. Photo: GCIS

President Cyril Ramaphosa has determined salary increases for public office-bearers, with effect from 1 April 2026, following recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, the Commission had recommended a 4.1% salary increase for all public office-bearers. After considering the recommendations and their impact on the state’s finances, President Ramaphosa approved differentiated increases of 4.1% and 3.8% across various categories of office-bearers.

Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to the President, said the 4.1% salary increase will apply to judges, magistrates, traditional leaders, and members of independent constitutional institutions. Meanwhile, a 3.8% increase will apply to members of the National Executive, Members of Parliament, members of provincial executive councils, and members of provincial legislatures.

Magwenya said the determination follows the President’s consideration of the Commission’s recommendations, which are made annually in line with constitutional and legislative requirements.

He said the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers is mandated in terms of section 219(1), (2) and (5) of the Constitution, read together with section 8(4) of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act of 1997, to make recommendations on the salaries, allowances, benefits, and upper limits of remuneration for public office-bearers.

In arriving at its recommendations, the Commission is required by section 8(6) of the Act to take into account several factors. These include the role, status, duties, functions, and responsibilities of the office-bearers concerned, as well as the affordability of different levels of remuneration.

Magwenya said other considerations include prevailing principles and levels of remuneration within organs of state, inflationary pressures, the available resources of the state, and public service remuneration levels.

The Presidency noted that President Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for the diligence and integrity with which the Commission carried out its work.