Parliament’s presiding officers to do their bit for Solidarity Fund
Parliament’s president officers are the latest to offer up a portion of their salaries to contribute to the Solidarity Fund set up to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
On Thursday, National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise, National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo and the other presiding officers held a virtual press conference on the programme of Parliament.
Deputy speaker Lechesa Tsenoli said they would take home less pay for the next three months.
“We’ve also decided to support the good initiatives for the Solidarity Fund and that we too as the presiding officers here will contribute one-third of our salaries for three months.
“The other parties in Parliament are discussing how they are going to do this as well and will be at the right time announce how they will do this.”
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Parliament to resume its work
Both houses of Parliament suspended all activities last month in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. On Thursday the presiding officers, led by National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Amos Masondo, held a virtual press conference.
Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that ministers and deputy ministers would all be taking a salary cut over the next three months as the country battles the outbreak of coronavirus.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also followed suite.
Several other businesses have also made a contribution to the fund, which has raised some R2 billion to date.