Western Cape Parliament signs off on Winde’s R2.6m annual package
Premier Alan Winde’s pay packet was put to the vote on Tuesday — and the Western Cape Parliament gave it the green light.
During its sitting, the house approved Winde’s salary and allowances, signing off on a remuneration package worth up to R2.6m a year.
The approval gives effect to a presidential proclamation published in the Government Gazette on Friday, in which President Cyril Ramaphosa set the upper limits for the salaries and allowances of premiers, members of executive councils and provincial legislatures for the 2025/26 financial year.
For premiers, the determination places the maximum total remuneration package at R2,635,562 a year, with effect from April 1 2025.
The adjustment for members of provincial legislatures reflects a 4.1% increase, while MPs — including Ramaphosa — received a 3.8% increase.
The remuneration package is made up of several components.
Sixty percent of the total amount is paid as a basic, pensionable salary.
It also includes an annual allowance of R120,000, an employer pension contribution equal to 22.5% of the pensionable portion, and a flexible component for the remainder.
Whether Winde will take the full increase is unclear. His spokesperson, Regan Thaw, was asked but could not immediately say.
In terms of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, the president sets salary ceilings for public office bearers.
However, provincial legislatures are required to formally approve those amounts before they can be implemented.
Tuesday’s sitting dealt specifically with that requirement.
The motion was tabled by DA chief whip Gillion Bosman and adopted by the house, clearing the way for the adjusted salary to apply in the Western Cape.
While the determination sets a maximum amount, it does not force provinces to pay the full figure.
Provinces may pay less, but are legally barred from exceeding the limit set by the president.
The same Government Gazette also adjusts the salaries of ministers, deputy ministers, MPs, and MPLs as part of the annual review of public office bearers’ pay.
Political analyst Zweli Ndevu said the increase was in line with the presidential proclamation.
“Under normal circumstances, that is not a problem,” he said.
“However, in a country facing scarce resources, poor or failing basic service delivery, a stagnant economy, and record levels of unemployment and poverty — compounded by a water crisis in parts of the province — one would expect politicians to act responsibly and with greater consideration of the broader situation.”
“In that sense, I am worried and deeply disappointed about the long-term impact of this decision.”
IOL News