At least R23bn a year. That is the bill taxpayers will pick up as the government steps in to help knock into shape South Africa’s broke power utility Eskom.
Finance minister Tito Mboweni announced in his budget speech on Wednesday that the government would start a major saving drive to reduce its salary spend – by R27bn over three years.
Politicians will forfeit salary increases for the 2019/2020 financial year, bonuses and overtime pay will be limited, and older civil servants will be nudged to retire early.
“My colleague, [public administration] minister Ayanda Dlodlo, will outline the details of the early retirement framework during the course of the week,” Mboweni said in parliament.

Listen to further analysis of the budget here:..