'Ministers are entitled to two cars each to the value of R1.7m'

30 May 2019 11:49 AM

President Cyril Rampahosa has delivered a lean Cabinet as promised but there are still concerns about the number of deputy ministers.

According to reports, Parliament will be saving close to R21m from the reduced Cabinet.

While the number of departments is reduced to 28, just how much will these ministers be earning and what perks will they be getting?

Budget Justice Coalition coordinator Kirsten Pearson says the ministrial handbook spells out what the ministers are earning and other entitlements.

New ministers are slated to earn about R2.4m. The president earns almost R3m and his deputy receives R500 000 less.

Read: 'Will these ministers do things differently? The economy won't be fooled'

Some of the entitlements relate to cars and properties. Ministers and deputies are allowed to have official cars.
— Kirsten Pearson, Coordinator - Budget Justice Coalition

Ministers at the national level are entitled to two cars, one in Pretoria and one in Cape Town because of the Parliamentary duties that they have. They are allowed to have cars that are up to 70% of their annual remuneration, about R1.7m and deputy ministers to the value of R1.4m
— Kirsten Pearson, Coordinator - Budget Justice Coalition

Ministers are also entitled to state properties that are used as an official residence. The handbook spells out perks like water and electricity, maintenance as well as security.

Pearson says there are proposed changes to the ministerial handbook which relates to the time given to the outgoing minister to move out of the official residence.

To hear the rest of the conversation, listen below:

This article first appeared on CapeTalk : 'Ministers are entitled to two cars each to the value of R1.7m'

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele