You’d think this would be a joke, but then you’d be wrong. Just this morning Zuma announced that public servants nationally wil be getting a 5% average pay increase.

While it’s below inflation for sure, they’re already earning a shitload of money to start with.

According to the Rand Daily Mail, el presidente based his decision on the recommendation of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers “and the condition of the economic climate‚ which has deteriorated.” Ja sure.

The increases are as follow:

4.4% for all public office bearers except Magistrates and certain category of the traditional leaders.

5.5% from the position of the Special Grade Chief Magistrate to the position of the Chief Magistrate.

6% from the position of the Senior Magistrate to the position of the Magistrate.

4.4% for a position of a King / Queen.

6% from a position of the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders to a position of a Full-time member of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.

8% for a position of a Senior Traditional Leader.

R 91‚000 for Headmen/Headwomen.

The RDM reports that Headmen received a pay hike in June 2015 when government told provinces to find an additional R100-million a year to pay traditional leaders.

In today’s statement‚ the presidency said the commission had originally recommended increases of:

5% for Members of the Executive and Deputy Ministers;

5% for Members of Parliament;

5% for Premiers‚ MECs and Members of the Provincial Legislatures;

5% from the position of the Chief Justice to the position of the Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal;

5.5 % from the position of the Judge President of High Court / Labour Court to position of the Judge of the High Court/Labour Court;

5.5% from the position of the Special Grade Chief Magistrate to the position of the Chief Magistrate;

6% from the position of the Senior Magistrate to the position of the Magistrate;

5.5% for a position of a King/Queen;

6% from the position of the Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders to the position of a Full-time member of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders;

8% for the position of a Senior Traditional Leader and

R91‚0000 for the Headmen/Headwomen.

Yes, the increases were less, but were they necessary?