Mandela and Aides to Take 20% Pay Cut

Warding off criticism that it has raided public coffers, President Nelson Mandela’s government on Saturday announced cuts of up to 20% in the salaries of Mandela and other top officials.

Deputy President Thabo Mbeki said the cuts will take effect immediately. He said Mandela’s salary would fall to $130,000 from $163,000.

Critics, including Anglican Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, had accused the African National Congress-led government of voting itself excessive salaries after taking office following the nation’s first all-race election in April.

Mandela at first rejected the criticism but later said cutting salaries would set a good example of the fiscal discipline needed as South Africa addresses social ills left from the apartheid era.