What are the lavish perks reserved for South African MPs?

South African MPs enjoy lavish perks alongside their entry-level salaries of R1.27 million yearly. According to the Sunday Times, these include fully furnished houses in Cape Town, free flights, and reimbursements for fuel, mobile contracts, and electronic devices. These benefits, part of the revised MP handbook, aim to facilitate MPs in their duties without financial burden. Critics argue these perks, amidst recent salary hikes, underscore disparities and raise concerns over taxpayer costs in the political landscape.

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By Staff Writer

In addition to getting entry-level salaries of R1.27 million per year, South African members of Parliament (MPs) enjoy many perks, including a fully furnished house in Cape Town, free electricity and water, dozens of free flights, and reimbursements for fuel and mobile contracts.

Sunday Times reports these are among the “members’ facilities” included in the latest MP handbook.

These benefits will be enjoyed by the 454 MPs sworn in after the 2024 elections, including many first-time members from the MK Party and Patriotic Alliance.

One of the additions in the latest revision of the handbooks allows MPs to get reimbursed for their expenses on laptop, tablet, or smartphone contracts, subject to limits.

In addition, they can claim for costs related to communication services such as mobile, roaming, and fixed Internet expenditure.

Perhaps the biggest benefit remains access to a dirt-cheap furnished house in one of the Parliamentary villages in Belhar, Goodwood, and Pelican Park, all located in Cape Town.

MPs only have to pay R250 monthly rent for these properties, a fee which includes bus shuttle trips to and from Parliament, as well as free electricity, water, gardening services, and 24/7 security.

In terms of travel, MPs also enjoy the following perks:

88 free single-trip flight tickets in economy class on any domestic airline (96 for party whips, house chairs, and presiding officers)
60 free single-trip flight tickets for children under two
12 free single-trip flight tickets for children aged between two and 18
No airport parking fees
Fuel reimbursement at R4.84 per kilometer, the current Sars rate, including for travel by spouses, companions, or partners
Free transport for pupils between Parliamentary housing and schools

New MPs moving to Cape Town and those who failed to make the cut after the elections and have to move back to other locations also get financial support to help fund their relocations.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo told the Sunday Times these benefits were intended to enable MPs to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.

“These provisions are not unique to the South African Parliament but are a common practice worldwide to ensure that elected representatives can perform their duties with efficiency and dedication,” said Mothapo.

“These provisions ensure MPs can perform their duties without being burdened by logistical, financial or administrative challenges.”

“By supporting MPs in these practical ways, Parliament ensures that public representatives can focus on their primary role of serving the people and upholding democratic processes.”

Politicians pocketing millions without perks

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently approved salary hikes for ministers, deputy ministers, MPs, and other legislators, effective retrospectively from 1 April 2024.

While the 2.5% increase could be considered low compared to inflation, the existing salaries have made millionaires out of hundreds of South African politicians.

Many civil rights organisations and opposition political parties have taken particular issue with the tax-free benefits and perks afforded to ministers in the Ministerial Handbook.

In the current financial year, cabinet ministers get a salary of R2.69 million while deputy ministers are paid R2.22 million.

On top of this, they enjoy luxury homes in Pretoria, VIP security, support staff, a vehicle allowance of R700,000, and free water and electricity, which the Democratic Alliance (DA) has estimated to cost taxpayers around R1 billion per year.

The tables below summarise the latest annual salaries of some of the senior positions in national and provincial government in South Africa.