3.2 The MEC reported that Northern Cape municipalities perform, on average, 21 functions with some capacity, which is measured on budget information, staffing, equipment and the use of external service providers. On average 16% of positions at municipalities were vacant. Key positions, such as municipal manager, financial manager and technical service manager are filled in some cases by a person who does not have a relevant qualification for the position. Not all key positions are filled by MSA Section 57 appointments e.g. six municipal mangers were acting, eleven financial managers and two technical managers.