President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing legal pressure from the Association of Regional Magistrates of Southern Africa Armsa to implement a 34 salary increase for magistrates. The court challenge highlights a deepening tension between constitutional obligations to uphold judicial independence and the governments need to contain South Africas ballooning public wage bill, now at R740 billion.
Armsa President, Ian Cox, says, "It sounds terrible, but it must be seen in perspective. The 34 was in fact recommended by the Independent Remuneration Committee, who makes recommendations to President Ramaphosa, regarding our salaries."
Cox says the recommended huge increase is meant to right the wrongs of the past.
