According to the most recent Business Tech figures, African presidents were ranked by their annual pay as president. The National Assembly approved President Jacob Zuma’s salary rise in 2016, which resulted in a 5% pay raise for him. According to the calculations made using the data below, Zuma earns around R7800 more per day than other presidents.

Since the numbers were released, this number most certainly rose. According to an excerpt from an article by investigative reporter Jacques Pauw in the Sunday Times, Zuma is allegedly due over R63 million in special perks on his Nkandla homestead. Zuma allegedly earned $1 million each month but failed to disclose this to Sars, according to the report.

The president, who is under investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on several charges including corruption, fraud and money laundering, will be able to receive his presidential benefits until his retirement.The Mail & Guardian reported that Zuma had been receiving pension benefits since 2005 when his second term as president ended in 2018.

These include R4-million monthly salary as well as allowances for housing and travel expenses.He also receives a car allowance of R1 million each year plus any vehicle purchased for him by government departments or institutions such as Eskom or the SABC. “In our view this does not constitute an offence under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act,” said spokesperson Wayne Duvenage from NPA’s spokesman office.

“It is not unlawful for any person to be employed in any public service institution/department where they are required by law to work.”Duvenage added: “Our position has always been that no one should get paid more than their legal entitlements because this could lead them into situations where they may feel compelled not just financially but also ethically wrong doing things which may result in prosecution under other laws pertaining specifically against corruption.”

Conclusion

Jacob Zuma is not the only one who has to pay back. There are many prominent members of the ANC who have been named in the Gupta emails, including former ministers and other senior officials.They are likely to face charges in coming months. The more high-profile people that are charged with corruption, fraud or money laundering offences, the less likely it will be for them to escape justice.

For example, if someone like Pravin Gordhan is found guilty then this will make it much easier for others implicated in similar crimes against our state institutions because there would no longer be any argument about whether or not they should be prosecuted.”