South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed controversial benefits for cabinet ministers and their deputies, including free energy and water.
The incentives sparked popular outrage because they were deemed callous at a time when South Africans are dealing with daily power outages and increased living costs.
In a press briefing on Monday evening, a spokesman said the president “acknowledges and appreciates the public sentiments on the matter”.
The ministerial handbook, which outlines ministerial benefits, will be “aligned to the realities that many South Africans face”, presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said.
He said the intention behind the perks was “not a nefarious one”.
“The intention was to try and find some form of balance between what ministers could afford versus some of the costs that they have,” he is quoted as saying the by the state news agency.