Zuma cuts down increase for elected officials to 7%.(News)

BYLINE: XOLANI MBANJWA Political Bureau

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma yesterday heeded the concerns of his finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, and awarded a 7 percent salary increase to elected public office bearers instead of the 8 percent recommended by the Independent Commission on Remuneration.

"In light of the current economic situation, and the pressure on government finances, I have decided to adjust downwards the percentage recommended by the commission," Zuma said in a statement issued by the Presidency.

Commission chairman Judge Willie Seriti had told journalists in Pretoria earlier yesterday that Gordhan, who has been urging restraint in government …