For it to function at full capacity, the North West province needed a staff establishment of 1 192 posts, however only 557 had been filled, leaving 635 posts vacant. Out of the 635 vacant posts, 58 were funded posts and 577 were unfunded posts. Out of the 557 posts filled, 332 were occupied by females and 225 were occupied by males. The province was operating at an average of only 47% of its required capacity.