Big salary increase: From R2.6 million to R6.1 million in three years

Corruption Watch has raised concerns about the Secretary to Parliament’s salary, which increased from R2.5 million to R6.1 million in three years.

The organisation’s aims are to ensure that the custodians of public resources act responsibly to advance the public’s interests.

The small team is committed to highlighting and exposing corruption in South Africa and holding those guilty responsible.

In December 2025, Corruption Watch wrote to Parliament seeking answers regarding alleged irregularities brought to its attention on a salary increase for the Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George.

The letter was addressed to Speaker Thoko Didiza, Deputy Speaker Annelie Lotriet, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane.

The NCOP deputy Les Govender and Molapi Lekganyane, chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management of Parliament (JSCFMP) were also addressed.

According to the Corruption Watch letter, the Secretary of Parliament position was first advertised in February 2020 with an annual salary of R2,457,227.

A subsequent advertisement was published on 20 March 2022, reflecting an updated remuneration package of R2,604,661.

However, the salary spiked once George was appointed on 1 June 2022 for a five-year term ending on 31 May 2027.

The organisation found that in three years, George enjoyed hefty salary increases, first from R2.6 million to over R4 million, and then from R4.5 million to R6.1 million.

The issue was first brought to light in 2024, when Scorpio, the investigative group of The Daily Maverick, found that the salary increase to R4.4 million was quietly approved and backdated from the date of George’s appointment in June 2022.

This was found to be in direct conflict with an earlier decision by the Executive Authority to cap the secretarial salary. An independent lawyer described the increases as “highly questionable.”

Daily Maverick reported that there was evidence suggesting George had a hand in drafting his own contract.

Parliament did not respond to queries from Newsday on the matter by time of publication. Comment will be added if received.

An 88% salary increase in three years

“This situation has persisted without intervention by Didiza’s office, and we believe that increasing the salary to such a level constitutes a serious abuse of power,” Corruption Watch said.

The organisation demanded an explanation from Didiza on 18 December, giving Parliament 30 days to respond.

Corruption Watch demanded to know if the salary increase was based on a formal job evaluation, or determined through a review and recommendation process, and requested documentation of such.

Furthermore, the organisation demanded to know if the salary increase was formally approved by the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the NCOP.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is also tackling the issue, saying it is ‘exposing more corruption’ in a recent social media post, and calling for an enquiry.

“There is no explanation presented as to why his salary increased by 88% in this short period,” DA spokesperson Jan De Villiers told Newsday.

“Hence the need for an enquiry.” De Villiers said that if no enquiry takes place, the DA will seek to have an ad hoc committee established to deal with this. “The matter cannot drag on any longer,” he said.

The political party said it has given the committee that oversees Parliament’s finances 14 days to reopen the matter.

“We are, at the moment, reserving our option of laying charges or taking other legal steps,” said De Villiers.

Back in May 2024, then-chair of the NCOP, Amos Masondo, told Daily Maverick that there was “nothing untoward, unethical, or unlawful in what transpired” and that George’s salary expectations were clear from the outset.

“He participated in a valid and lawful negotiation process..supported by precedent and an independent review process,” said Masondo.