Coronavirus: South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announces 33% pay cut for himself and members of his Cabinet
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced that his monthly salary together with that of his cabinet would be slashed down by 33% for the next 3 months. The slashed amount according to him would be used to help the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also extended the lockdown across South Africa for another 2…
South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced that his monthly salary together with that of his cabinet would be slashed down by 33% for the next 3 months.
The slashed amount according to him would be used to help the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also extended the lockdown across South Africa for another 2 weeks.
“Unless we hold to this course for a little longer, the coronavirus pandemic will engulf, and ultimately consume, our country,” he said.
“In the two weeks before the lockdown, the average daily increase in new cases was around 42 percent. Since the start of the lockdown, the average daily increase has been around 4 percent.”
He said this represented “real progress”, although he acknowledged that “a better picture of the infection rate” would emerge only after the expansion of a drive to screen, test, trace and treat people.
“We are only at the beginning of a monumental struggle that demands our every resource and our every effort,” he added. “Simply put, if we end the lockdown too soon or too abruptly, we risk a massive and uncontrollable resurgence of the disease.”
The president also announced 33% pay cut for the next three months for himself and his deputy, as well as ministers and deputy ministers. He said the money will be diverted towards social and economic relief measures to help the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In support of this effort, we have decided that the President, Deputy President, ministers, and deputy ministers will each take a one-third cut in their salaries for the next three months… We are calling on other public office bearers and executives of large companies to make a similar gesture and to further increase the reach of this national effort.”