National Treasury has allocated an additional R109.6 million for the five technology-related ministries for higher than expected salaries.
Finance minister Pravin Gordhan presented his medium-term budget framework to Parliament yesterday, indicating all the tech-related ministries would need the increased budget for salaries.
The Department of Public Enterprises, which overseas public projects like Infraco, received the lowest amount, coming in at R1.9 million. However, the department had one of the highest “unforeseen expenditure” reports, which totalled R193.8 million.
Coming in second on the log, is the Department of Communications, which will increase its total salaries by R3.6 million. The department will want the additional budget to enable it to fill several key positions.
At the beginning of the month, communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda indicated many staff members had been poached by some of the top businesses in the telecoms industry. Nyanda hopes to accelerate his hiring strategy and the extra cash will give him the required boost.
Skipping in to the tens of millions is the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), which will receive an additional R13.2 million to allocate to salaries. The DTI overseas several key IT projects, including the development of the ICT charter, and has extensive investments in the business process outsourcing area.
Leading the pack for highest salary increases is the troubled Department of Home Affairs (DHA), which received R63.149 million to add to its salary slips. Of the five, the DHA has the most public workers.
Last month, the department was held to account by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, for having a large number of employees involved in corruption. The department has promised a turnaround strategy to get employees on track and the additional funding could help prevent officials from skimming from the South African public.
Gordhan's increased allocations for salaries come in the wake of his announcement that funding for government employment programmes will be stepped up. The allocation is in line with president Jacob Zuma's intention to increase the job market during his term.
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