Government will spend over R76 million of taxpayer’s money on ‘loss-of-office gratuities’ for politicians who did not return to parliament after this year’s national election.
The Sunday Times reports that this figure is set to continue rising in the coming weeks as payments are still being processed.
The gratuities will be paid to former ministers and MPs who completed at least a five-year term in office, with four months’ of pensionable salary being paid out for every five years of service completed.
This means that former ministers like Jeff Radebe and Derek Hanekom stand to earn at least R4.8 million each.
According to the paper, earning this package does not preclude politicians from accepting other public sector positions, or returning to parliament at a later date.
DA MP John Steenhuisen said that the packages were originally instituted to help MPs, but has since turned into an unnecessary and expensive benefit.Continue reading…