Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 22 December 2025

📸 Matthew Parks of COSATU criticises the 4.1% salary hike for politicians amid failing service delivery. Image: X/Radio702

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has strongly criticised a recommendation to increase the salaries of public office bearers by 4.1%, warning that the move sends the wrong message as service delivery continues to deteriorate across much of the country.

The proposal, made by the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers, would see salary increases for Members of Parliament, provincial legislators, local government councillors, members of government commissions and the judiciary. If approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the adjustment is expected to cost taxpayers more than R500 million.

COSATU spokesperson Matthew Parks described the recommendation as “out of touch with the harsh economic reality facing ordinary South Africans”, particularly workers who are grappling with rising living costs, job losses and crumbling public services.

Parks noted that while the increase is broadly in line with inflation, senior politicians already earn substantial salaries. “A nurse would take about 30 years to earn what a president makes in a year,” he said, adding that government often cites fiscal constraints when negotiating with nurses, teachers and police officers, but appears far less restrained when it comes to its own remuneration.

He highlighted the dire state of local government finances, noting that “about 70% of municipalities are in financial distress”, with many failing to submit audited financial statements or pay staff salaries, pensions, and medical aid contributions. In some cases, municipal employees have gone months without pay, while basic services such as water, sanitation and electricity have collapsed.

Parks also criticised recent tax measures, including the failure to adjust income tax brackets for inflation for a second consecutive year. “Workers get pushed into higher tax brackets and pay more, yet we’re told there’s half a billion rand available for politicians’ salaries,” he said.

While COSATU rejects the proposed increase for politicians and councillors, it has expressed conditional support for adjustments to judicial salaries. Parks argued that judges and magistrates require specialised skills and years of training, and competitive remuneration is necessary to prevent a brain drain to the private sector and worsening court backlogs.

He called for a more modest increase for politicians, suggesting a 2% adjustment at most, and urged the introduction of performance-based accountability. “Increases should be linked to clean audits, paid staff, and real delivery on water, sanitation and electricity,” he said.

COSATU has also raised concerns about the lack of public participation in decisions around politicians’ pay, stressing that taxpayers “have a right to be consulted” on how public funds are spent.

As the final decision rests with the president, the union hopes the recommendation will be reconsidered in favour of fairness, accountability and the broader public interest.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Annisa Essack and Matthew Parks.