Latest news with #R2.69
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Labour law expert questions constitutionality of Police Minister's paid leave
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu accepts his special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: IOL Graphics Labour law expert, Advocate Bo Dlamini, says President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to place the embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on paid leave may be unconstitutional and wasteful. This comes as taxpayers are set to bear a heavier financial burden following the announcement that Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave, will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million. This is in light of a presidential commission of inquiry announced by Ramaphosa, which could take between three to six months to conclude. Despite being off duty, Mchunu will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million, which translates to approximately R224 166.67 per month. During the inquiry period, Professor Firoz Cachalia from Wits University has been appointed to act as the interim Minister of Police. While Cachalia's exact remuneration package has not been officially confirmed, it is expected that he will receive a ministerial-level salary during his acting term. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Dlamini said since ministers are not appointed under the Public Service Act, it is unclear where the president based his decision to give Mchunu a leave of absence, saying it was even worse that the leave may take up to a year, which is unusual for ministers and it can constitute a wasteful expenditure. He further stated that although ministers' appointments are not regulated by labour laws, the president, in a supervisor-subordinate relationship, could have suspended the minister instead of granting him a leave. 'Ramaphosa was supposed to suspend Mr Mchunu and appoint an independent tribunal to investigate the two violations of the Constitution within three months and make a report with recommendations,' said Dlamini. He said Mchunu may have violated Section 207 of the Constitution, which deals with roles of the National Commissioners and Provincial Commissioners in controlling and managing the SAPS, adding that this clause clearly forbids Mchunu from disbanding the political task team unit which could have been done by the National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola. Dlamini further stated that there is another piece of prima facie evidence that Mchunu lied in Parliament by stating that he didn't know Brown Mogotsi, but later on admitted knowing only as a "comrade". Dlamini said another minister should have been appointed to act in Mchunu's place to protect taxpayers' money instead of appointing a new acting minister who will enjoy added benefits while Mchunu enjoys the same perks sitting at home. With the Police Ministry already bloated with two deputy ministers and costing taxpayers millions of rand in salaries and ministerial perks, there has been a public outcry over the president's decision to place Mchunu on a long paid leave and appointing acting Minister outside the Cabinet. This means taxpayers will foot the bill for four political heads of one department. Opposition parties also questioned the president's decision to appoint commissions instead of utilising the existing crime fighting state institutions such as the Special Investigations Unit. Addressing the nation on Sunday, the president defended his decision to appoint a non-Cabinet member to act by quoting Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, which allows the president to appoint not more than two ministers outside the National Assembly. However, the same Section is silent on appointing acting minister outside the National Assembly. Deputy ministers could not also be appointed to act since they are not part of the Cabinet. Cape Times
IOL News
7 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Taxpayers to fund Mchunu's R2. 69 million salary during suspension
Taxpayers will continue to fund Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's full salary of R2.69 million while he is suspended amid a presidential inquiry into serious corruption allegations Taxpayers will face an increased financial burden as Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, currently on special leave, is set to continue receiving his full annual salary of R2.69 million. This decision comes in light of a presidential commission of inquiry announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which could take between three to six months to conclude. Despite being off duty, Mchunu will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million, which translates to approximately R224 166.67 per month. During the inquiry period, Professor Firoz Cachalia from Wits University has been appointed to act as the interim Minister of Police. While Cachalia's exact remuneration package has not been officially confirmed, it is expected that he will receive a ministerial-level salary during his acting term. If Cachalia serves as acting minister, he is expected to earn a monthly salary equivalent to that of a full Cabinet minister, approximately R224 166.67. This means he would receive around R672 500 over three months, and up to R1.35 million if the inquiry stretches to six months. This effectively means the Ministry of Police will cost the state nearly R1.35 million in salaries over three months, and up to R2.69 million if the inquiry extends to six months. A minister's total remuneration includes a basic salary component that is equal to 60% of the total package, which constitutes the pensionable salary. Each public servant is paid R120 000 per annum, including in their basic salary. The Presidency said that this amount is subject to the Income Tax Act. An employer's pension benefit contribution is equal to 22.5% of pensionable salary.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
This is how much it's going to cost taxpayers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on special leave but will continue earning his full salary. South African taxpayers are set to bear a heavier financial burden following the announcement that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave, will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million. This decision comes in light of a presidential commission of inquiry announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which could take between three to six months to conclude. Despite being off duty, Mchunu will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million, which translates to approximately R224,166.67 per month. During the inquiry period, Professor Firoz Cachalia from Wits University has been appointed to act as the interim Minister of Police. While Cachalia's exact remuneration package has not been officially confirmed, it is expected that he will receive a ministerial-level salary during his acting term. If Cachalia serves as acting minister, he is expected to earn a monthly salary equivalent to that of a full Cabinet minister, approximately R224,166.67. This means he would receive around R672,500 over three months, and up to R1.35 million if the inquiry stretches to six months. This effectively means the Ministry of Police will cost the state nearly R1.35 million in salaries over three months, and up to R2.69 million if the inquiry extends to six months. It is currently not known how long Mchunu will be placed on leave, but he will be receiving his ministerial salary throughout this period. The Presidency last year gazetted a 2.5% salary increase for ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament, and other public representatives, retroactive to 1 April 2024. Ministers in South Africa will now earn R2.69 million annually, up from their previous salary of R2.64 million, according to a report by IOL. A minister's total remuneration includes a basic salary component that is equal to 60% of the total package, which constitutes the pensionable salary. Each public servant is paid R120,000 per annum, including in their basic salary. The Presidency said that this amount is subject to the Income Tax Act. An employer's pension benefit contribution is equal to 22.5% of pensionable salary.
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Mchunu on Leave, Acting Minister Appointed: Here's how much it will cost taxpayers
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on special leave but will continue earning his full salary. South African taxpayers are set to bear a heavier financial burden following the announcement that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave, will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million. This decision comes in light of a presidential commission of inquiry announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which could take between three to six months to conclude. Despite being off duty, Mchunu will continue to earn his full annual salary of R2.69 million, which translates to approximately R224,166.67 per month. During the inquiry period, Professor Firoz Cachalia from Wits University has been appointed to act as the interim Minister of Police. While Cachalia's exact remuneration package has not been officially confirmed, it is expected that he will receive a ministerial-level salary during his acting term. If Cachalia serves as acting minister, he is expected to earn a monthly salary equivalent to that of a full Cabinet minister, approximately R224,166.67. This means he would receive around R672,500 over three months, and up to R1.35 million if the inquiry stretches to six months. This effectively means the Ministry of Police will cost the state nearly R1.35 million in salaries over three months, and up to R2.69 million if the inquiry extends to six months. It is currently not known how long Mchunu will be placed on leave, but he will be receiving his ministerial salary throughout this period. The Presidency last year gazetted a 2.5% salary increase for ministers, deputy ministers, members of parliament, and other public representatives, retroactive to 1 April 2024. Ministers in South Africa will now earn R2.69 million annually, up from their previous salary of R2.64 million, according to a report by IOL. A minister's total remuneration includes a basic salary component that is equal to 60% of the total package, which constitutes the pensionable salary. Each public servant is paid R120,000 per annum, including in their basic salary. The Presidency said that this amount is subject to the Income Tax Act. An employer's pension benefit contribution is equal to 22.5% of pensionable salary.
