Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma has ignored calls to curb spending and has given top politicians a R45m salary increase for the financial year ending in March.

According to the Sunday Independent, Zuma signed the 5% pay increase on 3 January and the hike was gazetted on Thursday. Members of his executive, premiers, MPs, MECs and MPLs will all benefit despite earlier calls for a pay freeze. The increases will be backdated to April last year.

The increases range from R43 000 for MPLs to R118 000 for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu and National Council of Provinces chair Mninwa Mahlangu. Ministers got just over R100 000 and premiers more than R94 000.

In October 2012, Zuma met with business, labour and civil society to discuss how to recover investor confidence in the economy. He called on all CEOs and executive directors in the public sector and senior executives in the public sector to agree to a freeze on increases in salaries and bonuses for 12 months. 

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A case of Boitumelo Bankutlwang was postponed by Taung Magistrate Court on Thursday for further investigation.

Maphoitsile residents packed the court to show support to Segomotsi Gaojelwe,78 who was allegedly raped by Boitumelo Bankutlwang,31.

Gaojelwe was gathering some firewood in the nearby veld at around 2pm when the suspect accosted at her. Bankutlwang allegedly produced a knife and raped her.

Gaojelwe informed her son about the ordeal and a manhunt was launched where the community found Bankutlwang drinking at a local shebeen.

A 31 year-old suspect was arrested and appeared before court where his case was postponed. Bankutlwang will remain in custody until his next appearance.

The court postponed the case until 27 January 2014 and police investigations continue.-TDN

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