More than 37 800 government employees in national and provincial governments earn an average salary above R1 million per year.
This is according to Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet's written response to a parliamentary question from DA member Leon Schreiber earlier this month.
During the 2023/2024 financial year, government spent R45.3 billion on the salaries of these employees, and is expected to spend R46.8 billion on their salaries in the 2024/2025 financial year due to salary increases. Employees in state-owned enterprises and municipalities are excluded.