Parliament – President Jacob Zuma came under fire in Parliament on Thursday over his salary increase, with the opposition parties accusing him of presiding over an ailing economy.

Opposition parties said instead of an increase Zuma must be shown the door for leading the country down a slippery slope and firing former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.

But the ANC’s majority of 172 MPs pushed through the increase against 81 objections from opposition parties, with two MPs deciding to abstain from the vote.

Zuma was not in the House when the decision was taken.

However, it was not all opposition parties who rejected the R120 000 increase, from R2.75 million to R2.87m.

The IFP, UDM, the National Freedom Party and Agang backed the ANC on the increase, saying other opposition parties were being hypocritical.

The four opposition parties said that just the day before, Zuma had approved salary hikes for all MPs and MPLs.

ANC acting chief whip Doris Dlakude said the opposition parties rejecting the increase in Zuma’s salary were playing to the gallery.

“It’s a pity. All of us sitting in this House received our salary increases this morning. These increases were signed off by none other than the president. Even the racists received that salary increase in this House,” said Dlakude.

However, this elicited an angry response from the opposition benches, who called on House chairwoman Thoko Didiza to call Dlakude to order.

DA chief whip John Steenhuisen said Zuma did not deserve an increase as he was presiding over an ailing economy that had condemned millions of people to unemployment and poverty.

“We speak for millions of South Africans who are without work because of our president, who fired Nhlanhla Nene,” said Steenhuisen.

“It is grotesque, absolutely grotesque, to compare our work as members of Parliament with that man who sits over there behind that coat of arms,” he said, pointing to Zuma’s empty seat in the chamber.

Zuma was out of the country when the National Assembly discussed his salary increase.

He will be back in Parliament on Thursday to respond to questions, including on his axing of Nene in December.

Steenhuisen said Zuma must be fired.

“President Zuma does not deserve a cent increase in his salary. You want more, we will give you the door,” he said.

The EFF said Zuma’s salary must be frozen until he has paid back all the Nkandla money.

But Dlakude said that matter was before the Constitutional Court.

Cope MP Deidre Carter also lashed out at the increase given to Zuma.

She said the president did not deserve the increase because he had shamed the country and the office he occupies over his policies.

Carter added that the president had brought the country right to the precipice of bankruptcy.

Cheryllyn Dudley of the African Christian Democratic Party also rejected the increase because it came in the midst of the economic turmoil facing the country.

Political Bureau

http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/outcry-over-zumas-salary-hike-1996427