In South Africa, Members of Parliament (MPs) are among the highest-paid individuals in the country, with cabinet ministers and deputies considered part of the elite due to their substantial salaries and accompanying tax-free perks. The recent gazetted increase in salary for MPs highlights their position as top earners within the country, despite the misconception that all politicians are “millionaires.” While ordinary MPs may not receive the same level of benefits as cabinet ministers, they still fall within the top 3% of earners nationwide. As politicians ascend the ranks of parliament, they edge closer to the top 1% income bracket, emphasizing the significant earnings potential within the political sphere.
