Issued by: Office of the President
On the 21st August 1998 a press statement was issued by the President announcing the appointment of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Political Office-Bearers. A copy of this statement is attached marked "A".
On the 7th October 1998 the newly appointed Commission held its first meeting pursuant to its appointment. At this meeting the Commission reviewed its mandate as now enacted in the Constitution Act 108 of 1996, the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers Act 92 of 1997, and the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act 20 of 1998 promulgated on 23 September 1998.
It is clear from the above legislation that the Commission has been charged:
1. To make recommendations concerning the salary and allowances of the President and his pension benefits for the purposes of an appropriate resolution by the National Assembly;
2. To make recommendations to the President concerning the salaries, allowances and benefits to be paid to the Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, members of the National Assembly, permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces, members of the Council and Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders and other Traditional Leaders;
3. In respect of Premiers, members of Executive Councils and members of the Provincial Legislatures and members of the Municipal Councils, the Commission is also required to make recommendations concerning "the upper limit of salaries and allowances", and benefits;
4. Insofar as pensions and medical aid benefits are concerned, the Commission is required to make recommendations concerning the upper limit of the contributors to be made by the State towards pension and medical aid funds in respect of the above-mentioned office-bearers; and
5. To make recommendations regarding the resources which is necessary to enable an office-bearer to perform an office-bearer's functions effectively.
At the meeting referred to above, it was decided to call on all interested parties and members of the public to make submissions to the Commission concerning the discharge of its mandate as set out above and a notice to this effect will be published promptly in the Government Gazette.
The Commission would therefore by way of this announcement requests any interested party or any member of the public who wishes to make submissions concerning the most appropriate levels of remuneration and other benefits, to do so by not later than 13 November 1998. The address to which all enquiries or submissions have to be directed is to I Olivier, Secretary, Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers, Private Bag X1000 Cape Town, 8000 (facsimile (021) 419 7737; e-mail: comrumrep@ct.lia.net).
Whilst the previous Commission in the reports which it delivered laid down the foundations and articulated the principles in accordance with which appropriate remuneration, allowances and benefits were to be determined, the mandate of the new Commission has in terms of the legislation set out above been renewed and extended. Accordingly it would be obliged to consider any submission affecting any issue that falls within the purview of its mandate. I would therefore urge the general public and any interested party to feel free to communicate any relevant proposals to the Commission in writing without delay at the above address.
Issued by Mister Justice J H Steyn Chairperson 8 October 1998
Enquiries: I Olivier Secretary (021) 419 7783