It is sheer hypocrisy for ANC Members of Parliament to question the salary of the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela. This is done no doubt to intimidate her. Carrying out her duties without fear or favour as prescribed by the Constitution can result in a big salary chop.
The more she asserts her independence and autonomy, the more punitive the ruling party will be. Sycophants, cronies and loyalists are richly rewarded while those who take their jobs seriously are castigated and how best to do it, is to tamper with remuneration.
That is what public service has been reduced to. The more competent, the greater the sanction; the more corrupt, the higher the promotion!
Remember the four MPs implicated in the Travel Scandal who were promoted to oversight positions of Portfolio Committees. What about the Free State municipal manager whose salary was increased to R900 000 per annum for running the Naledi municipality into the ground.
DA councillor Mel Haddad revealed that Nceba Thukane's increase in salary was for failing to deliver services effectively; for generating merely 8% in revenue through municipal billing; for owing bulk water supplier, Bloemwater, R17 million; for allowing sewage to spill into the "streets of Wepenaar and roads in Dewetsdorp."
Then there is the saga about the honourable Secretary of Parliament, Zingile Dingani, who earns R1.8 million a year. Coerced into taking leave pending an investigation into an advance of R186 000 to secure a wall around his house, he, like many, feel entitled to taxpayers' money even for their private wants.