PREMIER Helen Zille has assured the Western Cape legislature that as leader of the DA she did not receive an additional fixed salary on top of her annual salary as premier. PREMIER Helen Zille has assured the Western Cape legislature that as leader of the DA she did not receive an additional fixed salary on top of her annual salary as premier.
Premier Helen Zille has assured the Western Cape legislature that as leader of the DA she did not receive an additional fixed salary on top of her annual salary as premier.
Responding to a question without notice from ANC MPL Patrick McKenzie yesterday, Zille said it was “tradition” in the DA to pay the leader a stipend to cover costs incurred while on duty.
She received emoluments for cellphone calls made in her capacity as party leader, for life insurance – after receiving several serious death threats – and to help pay for an extra domestic worker.
“All of the emoluments cannot be more than R10 000 after tax,” said Zille. “It is not an additional fixed salary in my pocket. I declare it in Parliament, unlike the ANC leaders. They should apply these principles in their own party.”
But McKenzie insisted that Zille had received more than R20 000 a month from the DA, in addition to her R1.5 million annual salary as premier.
“The premier should be prepared to live with one income a month like any other leader and citizen,” said McKenzie.
But Zille hit back, saying none of the money received was taxpayers’ money.
“I declared whatever I got,” she said. “None of it was taxpayers’ money. It was legitimate and above board. I am in the dock today for doing things that are legitimate. I do whatever possible to save public money.
“These were legitimate expenses, which I have been reimbursed for. I have not abused that privilege,” Zille said.
Last month, Cosatu in the Western Cape claimed that Zille received two substantial salary packages – one as premier and the other as leader of the DA.
Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich accused Zille of being “the biggest double dipper”.
Ehrenreich said it was ironic that Zille positioned herself as the champion of morality and frugality, but “continues to collect two salaries, one as premier and one from the DA, essentially for the same job”.
clayton.barnes@inl.co.za - Cape Argus