Polokwane rebuts criticism over salary increases, cites Gazette and Minister Hlabisa’s directive
Polokwane Municipality has clarified that its recently approved R66.4 million adjustment in councillor remuneration is not a local decision, but a nationally mandated requirement stemming from a Government Gazette issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The municipality was responding to media reports suggesting that the council had independently approved a multimillion-rand increase in councillor salaries.
National determination by Minister Hlabisa
In a Government Notice published on 14 August 2025 (Notice No. 6513, Gazette No. 53168), Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa amended the Determination of Upper Limits of Salaries, Allowances and Benefits of Different Members of Municipal Councils in terms of the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act, 1998.
“I, Velenkosini Hlabisa, MP, Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, under the powers vested in me by sections 7(1), 8(5)(a) and 9(5)(a) of the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act, 1998, hereby amend the upper limits of the salaries, allowances and benefits of the different members of municipal councils…” the notice states. (Government Gazette No. 53168, 14 August 2025)
The notice established updated remuneration ceilings based on each municipality’s income and population, requiring all councils to align their pay structures accordingly.
Municipality: ‘We are guided by law’
Polokwane Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selala said the city operates strictly within these national parameters and does not set salaries unilaterally.
“The remuneration of councillors is guided strictly by the Determination of Upper Limits of Salaries, Allowances and Benefits of Different Members of Municipal Councils, as published annually in the Government Gazette by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs,” Selala said.
“Municipal Councils are legally obligated to align to these gazetted determinations and do not act outside of that framework.”
Selala confirmed that Polokwane’s current Grade 6 classification determines applicable pay levels, which correspond to the categories outlined in the ministerial framework.
Senior managers and other employees
According to Selala, the same national frameworks apply to senior managers and general staff.
“Section 56/57 Managers (Senior Managers) within municipalities are graded from Level 1 up to Level 10, depending on the size and grading of a municipality. In line with the current Grade 6 classification, salaries of senior managers are set at Level 8, as prescribed by the relevant ministerial frameworks,” he said.
Selala added that for all other municipal employees, salary adjustments are not decided locally but are negotiated nationally through the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC), where South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and Independent Municipal Allied and Trade Union (Imatu) represent workers and South African Local Government Association (Salga) represents municipalities.
“The outcomes of these national negotiations are binding on all municipalities, including Polokwane, and are implemented accordingly each year,” he explained.
Commitment to fairness and service delivery
Selala said the municipality remains committed to fair labour practices and to ensuring that remuneration compliance translates into better service for residents.
“The sustained Grade 6 status shall not merely signify compliance with national remuneration frameworks, but shall also translate into deepened governance excellence, enhanced service delivery and tangible developmental outcomes that uplift the quality of life for the communities we proudly serve,” he said.
Selala concluded that employee remuneration is dealt with strictly in line with national prescripts and bargaining structures, and not through unilateral local decisions.
Context
The August 2025 Gazette sets new upper limits for councillor pay across all municipalities, replacing the previous determination issued in October 2024. The revised framework ties remuneration to a municipality’s population and revenue base, ensuring parity nationwide.
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