The Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers has recommended a 4% cost-of-living adjustment for South Africa's public office-bearers for the 2026/27 financial year. This recommendation, published in Government Gazette No. 55446 on September 23, covers office-bearers across national, provincial and local government, the judiciary, traditional leadership and independent constitutional institutions. The commission considered various factors, including inflation, affordability, wage settlements, previous recommendations and consultations with government stakeholders.
If implemented, the proposed 4% increase could add about R546.5m to the annual remuneration bill. The commission's figures show the total remuneration budget rising from R13.66bn in 2025/26 to R14.21bn in 2026/27. Local government accounts for the largest portion of the increase, with the remuneration budget for 9,331 local government office-bearers rising from R8.12bn to R8.45bn, an increase of about R324.8m.
The proposed increase varies across different categories of public office-bearers. The magistracy's budget would increase by about R84m, from R2.10bn to R2.18bn, while traditional leaders account for an increase of about R52.5m. The provincial executive and legislatures would see their allocation increase by about R28.7m, while MPs account for an increase of about R22.1m. The remuneration budget for judges rises by about R23.7m.
Not all parties agree on the proposed 4% increase. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana recommended that the increase be capped at 3.4%, in line with the National Treasury's projected 2026/27 Consumer Price Index. The judiciary opposed the lower adjustment and argued for 4%, while a minority position within the judiciary proposed 4.5%. The lower courts' remuneration committee went further, proposing 4.5% to 5%.
The commission's recommendation is part of a broader context of public sector remuneration. Public servants on salary levels 1 to 12 and senior management received a 4% adjustment for 2026/27. The commission says inflation should be considered alongside affordability and fiscal sustainability, rather than automatically determining salary increases.
The recommendation is now part of the process leading to the final remuneration determination by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Earlier this year, the president approved salary hikes for judges, MPs and ministers of 4.1% and 3.8% in different categories. His own salary hike of 3.8% from R3.4m to R3.6m was approved by MPs in March.
Key points
- The proposed 4% increase for public office-bearers could add R546.5m to the annual remuneration bill.
- The increase varies across different categories of public office-bearers, with local government accounting for the largest portion of the increase.
- The recommendation has exposed a disagreement over how public office-bearers should be remunerated, with some parties advocating for a lower or higher adjustment.
