South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a 33% pay cut in his salary and in the salary of his cabinet members as their contribution towards the coronavirus epidemic. The president made the announcement In a live broadcast to the nation on Thursday night, and informed the citizens of an extension in the lockdown period.
“Unless we hold to this course for a little longer, the coronavirus pandemic will engulf, and ultimately consume, our country,” he said. “In the two weeks before the lockdown, the average daily increase in new cases was around 42 percent. Since the start of the lockdown, the average daily increase has been around 4 percent.”
“We are only at the beginning of a monumental struggle that demands our every resource and our every effort,”the South African President explained. “Simply put, if we end the lockdown too soon or too abruptly, we risk a massive and uncontrollable resurgence of the disease.” The president also announced 33% pay cut for the next three months for himself and his deputy, as well as ministers and deputy ministers. He said the money will be diverted towards social and economic relief measures to help the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In support of this effort, we have decided that the President, Deputy President, ministers, and deputy ministers will each take a one-third cut in their salaries for the next three months… We are calling on other public office bearers and executives of large companies to make a similar gesture and to further increase the reach of this national effort.”
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