Public interest in municipal governance and transparency often peaks when official financial records reach social media. A payslip leaked on TikTok and Facebook Reels by creator Boni Xaba gave South Africans a rare, direct look into local government compensation.
The document—a pay advice issued by a South African municipality—offers a clear snapshot of how local government representatives are compensated.
Breakdown of the Leaked Payslip
The uploaded pay advice reveals the line-item earning components for a local municipal councillor:
Basic Salary: R17,537.69
Cellphone Allowance: R3,400.00
Car Allowance: R5,845.90
Gross Monthly Earnings: R26,783.59
The document further reflects accumulated annual tax earnings of R148,874.13 and cumulative pension fund contributions of R34,049.52, along with taxable perks amounting to R32,055.82.
This pay breakdown aligns closely with statutory framework figures for ordinary (part-time) ward councillors serving in lower to mid-tier municipalities.
How Ward Councillor Salaries Work in South Africa
In South Africa, municipal councillors do not earn a single fixed national salary. Instead, their remuneration is strictly regulated under the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act.
Every year, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) publishes official gazettes that set the upper limits of salaries, allowances, and benefits for municipal councillors across the country.
Key Factors Determining Councillor Remuneration
1. Municipal Grading (Grades 1 to 6): Municipalities are ranked on a points system based on total municipal income (revenue/budget) and population size. A councillor in a Grade 1 rural municipality earns less than a councillor in a Grade 6 metropolitan council like Johannesburg, Cape Town, or eThekwini.
2. Part-Time vs. Full-Time Roles: Ordinary ward councillors are generally classified as part-time office bearers. Full-time executive office bearers—such as Executive Mayors, Speakers, Chief Whips, and Mayoral Committee Members (MMCs)—receive significantly higher remuneration packages.
3. Allowances and Tools of Trade: Total remuneration is structured to cover basic pay, travel allowances, and communication expenses required to perform ward duties.
Note on Allowances: The statutory cellphone allowance is capped up to R3,400 to R3,600 per month depending on the applicable gazetted upper limit, matching the R3,400.00 figure on the pay slip.
Ward Councillors vs. High-Ranking Municipal Leaders
While ordinary ward councillors earn gross salaries between ~R24,000 and R51,500 per month, full-time political office bearers earn far higher packages:
Mayoral Committee Members (MMCs) & Speakers: R60,000 – R90,000+ per month depending on municipal grade.
Executive Mayors (Grade 6 Metros): Up to R137,500+ per month (over R1.65 million annually).
Conclusion
The leaked pay document offers real-world clarity on local political compensation. While public perception often assumes all politicians earn six-figure monthly sums, ordinary ward councillors in lower to mid-grade municipalities receive a gross package around R26,000 to R35,000 per month before statutory deductions like PAYE tax, UIF, and medical aid.
