South African president gets 5 per cent hike despite Opposition's protest

Cape Town, June 5: The South African parliament on Thursday approved a 5 per cent salary hike for President Jacob Zuma, making his annual pay just under 3 million rand (about $240,000).

The Opposition parties opposed the move saying President Zuma had already benefited from state-funded upgrades to his rural home, which it called unduly. The upgrades cost over $20 million.

Democratic Alliance's Mmusi Maimane said the house should take a strong stand against the move and held President Zuma responsible for the economy's turn towards the wrong direction.

The ruling African National Congress, which has a comfortable majority in the parliament, defended the decision saying its chief whip welcomes the national assembly's approval of the recommendation made by the Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers' 5 per cent salary increase for the 2014-15 fiscal.

The salaries of the deputy president, ministers and their deputies and the members of parliament will also see a rise in their salaries.

Oneindia News