The approval of salary increases of up to 4% for public office-bearers has sparked criticism from trade unions and civil society groups, as millions of South Africans struggle with unemployment, poverty and rising living costs. 

The Presidency on Tuesday confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa approved salary adjustments of between 3.5% and 4% for the 2026/27 financial year, effective from 1 April 2026. 

Members of Parliament, provincial legislatures and municipal councils will receive a 3.5% increase, while judges, magistrates and traditional leaders are among those receiving 4%. 

President @CyrilRamaphosa has determined salary increases for public office-bearers for the 2026/27 financial year, effective from 1 April 2026. https://t.co/tQiCjoKYay

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 10, 2026

The Presidency said the increases followed recommendations by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, which considers economic conditions, inflation, affordability and stakeholder input. 

However, the decision has renewed debate about whether salary increases for elected representatives are justified amid the country’s ongoing economic challenges. 

COSATU has expressed its dissatisfaction with the increase for politicians, arguing that it is difficult to justify while ordinary citizens face mounting financial pressure. 

“This hike for public representatives remains excessive and sends an ill-considered message to an increasingly frustrated public of a political elite that is dangerously out of touch with the lived realities of ordinary South Africans,” said COSATU’s Matthew Parks. 

Parks added that it is not logical when government does not have the money to fulfil its constitutional mandates. 

“It is beyond shameful that whilst government has consistently refused to provide any inflationary relief for the 8 million unemployed and destitute SRD Grant recipients, government has found an additional R536 million to fund the salaries of politicians, commissioners and judges,” noted Parks.  

COSATU has, however, welcomed the salary increases for magistrates, citing the need to retain skilled professionals within an already overwhelmed judicial system.  

Similarly, Forum for South Africa has questioned whether public representatives should receive higher salaries while communities continue to experience inadequate service delivery. 

The organisation’s Tebogo Mashilompane called for greater accountability, arguing that remuneration should be linked to measurable improvements in governance and service delivery. 

“It is deeply concerning that public office-bearers continue to receive salary increases while ordinary South Africans struggle to put food on the table, young people remain unemployed, municipalities fail to deliver basic services and communities continue to experience severe economic hardship… South Africans cannot continue to carry the burden of poor governance while those in positions of authority enjoy improved remuneration without corresponding accountability,” said Mashilompane.