Here’s How Much Ramaphosa’s New Cabinet Will Earn – and the Perks They Get

By Joburg Post

While the number of departments was reduced to 28, the actual cabinet was only reduced by 8 people.

The new cabinet will now be made up of 64 members (from 72 before) – including president Cyril Ramaphosa, deputy president David Mabuza, 28 ministers and 34 deputies.

These extra deputies will come at a cost for South African taxpayers as they are scheduled to receive R1,977,795 each in the 2018/19 financial year.

Ramaphosa’s new ministers are slated to earn R2,401,633 while returning deputy president David Mabuza is set to earn R2,825,470.

For comparison purposes, a normal member of the National Assembly (MP) will earn R1,106,940, while the leader of a minority party will earn R1,309,563.

Had the cabinet been kept the same (at 72 members, with 36 ministers and 34 deputies) the total cost – excluding the president – would have come to R156.5 million – thus Ramaphosa’s reduced cabinet only saved the country R19.2 million.

• Private cars – Members of cabinet get 25% of their salary towards a private vehicle, its running and maintenance as well as comprehensive insurance;
• Official vehicles – Ministers (and deputy ministers) are allowed to purchase one car for official use in 
  Pretoria as well as one in Cape Town. The value of each vehicle cannot be more than 70% of their salary;
• Accommodation – Cabinet members can live free of charge in one state-owned residence in the capital of their choice. If they want to move into a second state-owned house for official purposes they must pay a ‘market related’ rent;
• Travel – Cabinet members and their spouses may book first class tickets for official international journeys. They are also both entitled to 30 single business class flights per year within South Africa. Dependent children get six single economy class flights per year;
• Other expenses – A cabinet members’ department can pay for all “reasonable” out-of-pocket expenses (“including gratuities and reading material, but excluding alcoholic beverages not consumed with a meal”) connected with the subsistence of the members, their spouses as well as family members who need to accompany them when travelling. Slips only need to be supplied “if at all possible”.

Article Tags