Politicians and senior government officials oppose genuine demands by workers but increase their own salaries by alarming margins, Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union said on Wednesday.

"They will come out guns blazing and oppose the real and genuine demands of ordinary workers by claiming that the demands are unreasonable and therefore impracticable," said spokesperson Benzi Ka-Soko.

"Shortly after making such pronouncements, these fat-cat bureaucrats will amplify their own salaries by alarming margins.

Ka-Soko responded with shock to reserve bank governor Tito Mboweni's 28 percent salary increase and an 11 percent increase for public office bearers.

The increment for public office bearers was in line with the recommendations of the Moseneke Commission.

"These big-bellied buffoons are currently earning millions of rands and resultantly, live luxurious lives filled with opulence, abundance and unparalleled wealth," said Ka-Soko.

"Their children are receiving highly qualitative education in the highly prestigious private schools and universities in Europe and America."

He said this situation perpetuated the wrong perception that better education was only for the rich.

"These practices are deplorable for they continue to perpetuate huge class divisions and consequent repercussions."

Ka-Soko said refusing to pay ordinary workers a living wage endorsed the notion that the poor must continue to perform the "donkey work and earn slave salaries whilst the aristocracy continue to live Ivory Tower lifestyles".

He said such developments would create a fertile ground for a revolution in the country.

Sapa