Mm ... vacant and acting. [Interjections.] You don't even know your language. Hon Deputy Minister ...
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL
AFFAIRS (Mr M Tau): Hon Chairperson, I think I should indicate that we are also concerned about the levels of vacancies in local government. In line with back to basics, we continue to ensure that we work with provinces and the back to basics teams to ensure that municipalities are able to recruit appropriate people. We do keep a database and record of those municipalities that have not recruited senior people at the appropriate level and ensure that we work with them to facilitate that they recruit appropriately.
I want to make a point of emphasis: Ultimately, the responsibility to recruit is that of the municipality. Our responsibility is to ensure that we exercise adequate oversight and in the process advice the relevant authority, including the provinces, that the
municipality should take the necessary steps to recruit the senior managers that are so required.
At the second level I think it is partly in acknowledgement of this reality that we are also implementing the district development model that should supplement the capacity that is there in our local authorities. Thank you very much.