Parts of the country are still hit by load reduction and could face tariff hikes of up to almost 44% while top public office bearers get free monthly water and electricity of up to R5 000. Picture: Jacques Naude/Independent Newspapers
PUBLIC office-bearers such as Cabinet ministers, their deputies, premiers, MECs, MPs, mayors, certain categories of MPLs, judges and traditional leaders enjoy free electricity at the state’s expense for up R5 000 monthly.
This is despite Eskom demanding tariff hikes of between 36.15% and 43.55% for next year, depending on whether the power utility supplies them or their municipalities.
In its latest review of the perks enjoyed by politicians, judicial officers, and traditional leaders, the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office-Bearers states that the cost of ministers and their deputies’ state-owned residences is the responsibility of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, including those associated with the provision of water and electricity.
This is provided that such cost is limited to the amount to be determined per month per state-owned residence.
The Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice are also entitled to prestige accommodation and domestic services similar to ministers, deputy ministers, and Parliament’s presiding officers, and this includes the R5 000 per month provided for water and electricity.
”Any cost in excess of a determined amount per month per state-owned residence will be borne by the relevant member (minister, deputy minister, Chief Justice, Deputy Chief Justice, or Parliament’s presiding officers). The current cost is limited to R5 000 per month per state-owned residence. Any cost in excess of R5 000 per month per state-owned residence will be borne by the relevant member,” the commission said.
The same applies to MPs, while MPLs only benefit when they reside 100 km away from the seat of the provincial legislature; they may be entitled to official accommodation, which is among the properties administered by the Public Works Department.
MPLs are allocated official accommodation where the legislative budget and policy allow, and for new MPLs, accommodation would have to be allocated either through existing accommodation or through purchasing, or in exceptional circumstances, rental will be provided.
Each of the country’s kings or queens is entitled to at least one house, together with the chairperson and deputy chairperson of the National House and nine Provincial Houses of Traditional Leaders, where their offices are located, including the R5 000 a month costs associated with the provision of water and electricity.
At local government, only mayors will receive the R5 000 per month cost of water and electricity, with the relevant municipality being responsible for the costs.
Only a few provinces have indicated that they subsidise water and electricity rates, with the Western Cape stating that it was the department’s responsibility, while the North West subsidy caters for utilities amounting to R5 000 a month.
The North West has indicated that it is responsible for municipal rates while electricity is directly paid to Eskom by the department.
In Limpopo, MECs are provided with full subsidy, including private residences, and it is the department’s responsibility.
The Eastern Cape does not pay for subsidies in terms of water and electricity rates, with members responsible for their own bills while the department pays municipal rates.
In comparison with Namibia, all categories of public officebearers are provided with a housing allowance.
”All office-bearers within the sphere of the commission are provided with a housing allowance. Household cooking, security upgrades, water, electricity, and garden services are provided in respect of the prime minister,” the commission said.
In addition, a reimbursement allowance with different amounts for the usage of water and electricity is provided to the National Assembly speaker, and other public office-bearer categories are provided with a water and electricity allowance every month.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za