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Cape Town - Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will be asked to probe an increased vacancy rate at the Treasury, the DA said on Monday.
"Recent replies to DA parliamentary questions reveal significant resignation and vacancy rates at senior levels in the National Treasury," Democratic Alliance MP Tim Harris said.
"In particular, 25 senior employees have left the department in the past year, leading to a 21% increase in the vacancy rate for senior positions."
In a written reply to Harris, Gordhan revealed the vacancy rate for key positions at Treasury was just under 10% in March this year.
Since then, the rate had risen.
"The rate has increased to 11.1% as at the 31st May 2013 (35 vacancies from 314 funded positions), as a result of newly funded positions," Gordhan said in the reply.
Among the vacancies yet to be filled is that of accountant general.
Harris said the minister's reply showed the department was taking long to fill key positions.
An urgent probe needed to look into this and a report should be tabled before parliament's finance standing committee.
"If the worrying vacancy rates experienced by Treasury in any way impairs its ability to deliver on its mandate minister Gordhan has a responsibility to hold those responsible to account. I therefore trust that he will heed this request," Harris said.
