Johannesburg Council Faces Backlash Over Salary Increases During Unruly Virtual Meeting

In a controversial move that has drawn widespread criticism, Joburg councillors approved salary hikes for themselves and executives in a chaotic online meeting.

The session, marred by technical difficulties and disruptions, sparked outrage, particularly due to ongoing service delivery issues in the city.

Salary Hike Details

The approved increases, outlined under the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, will raise salaries for various council positions in the upcoming financial year. Key adjustments include:

Executive Mayor: R1 585 052 (up from R1 501 351).
Speaker: R1 280 117 (up from R1 212 520).
Executive Committees/Mayoral Committees/Council Whip: R1 205 851 (up from R1 142 175).
Chair of Oversight Committees: R1 170 478 (up from R1 108 670).
Councillors (Part-Time): R593 610 (up from R562 265).

This adjustment adds R4.2 million to the city’s salary budget, a figure critics argue could be used for essential services.

Chaotic Online Meeting

Held virtually, the extraordinary council meeting experienced numerous technical challenges, including connectivity issues, disrupted live feeds, and delays in confirming a quorum. Councillors joked, complained about freedom of speech restrictions, and even disrupted proceedings with irrelevant comments.

The meeting, which began at 10:00, took nearly two hours just to verify attendance. Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu eventually allowed caucus leaders to submit block votes to expedite the process.

Mixed Reactions from Political Parties

The decision was met with varied reactions:

FF Plus: Strongly opposed the increase, citing poor service delivery and resident dissatisfaction.
DA: Abstained, highlighting the moral dilemma of approving raises amidst the city’s financial struggles.
ActionSA: Previously opposed salary increases but supported this year’s hike, raising eyebrows.
ANC and EFF: Split opinions, with some members voting against the increase.

FF Plus caucus leader Cornelis Boer argued that the R4.2 million could fund 58 new jobs for maintaining infrastructure, such as trimming roadside grass and clearing stormwater drains.

Public Backlash

Critics argue that the salary hike sends a negative message to residents already struggling with unreliable electricity, collapsing infrastructure, and inadequate basic services. The decision has intensified public scrutiny of Johannesburg’s municipal leadership and priorities.

While the salary increases have been approved, the backlash underscores the growing frustration with Johannesburg’s governance. Residents and political parties alike are demanding accountability and tangible improvements in service delivery.

Also read: South Africa’s Service Delivery Crisis: Causes & Solutions