Expenditure in compensation of employees increased from R97.7 million in 2007/08 to R164.6 million in 2010/11, at an average annual rate of 19 per cent. This substantial growth is the result of an increase in the number of staff, from 286 in 2007/08 to 428 in 2010/11, and due to inflation related salary adjustments. As at September 2010, the vacancy rate of the Department was 29.07 per cent. This represented 125 positions that have not been filled resulting from the organizational review. Over the MTEF period, spending is expected to increase R171.7 million to R188 million, at an average annual rate of 4.5 per cent due to inflation related adjustments.