The hunt is on for a new director-general for the department of provincial and local government following Zam Titus's contract expiring last month.

One of few directors-general to see out their five-year contract, Titus is regarded as one of the most efficient and hard-working department heads in President Thabo Mbeki's administration.

But, in a significant boost for the department, and for Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi, it has secured his services as a special adviser to the ministry until 2004.

Mufamadi's spokesman, Brent Simons, confirmed the expiry of Titus's contract yesterday and said the search for a replacement was under way. He said Titus was retained because of his vast experience in provincial and local government matters and all issues falling under the department's jurisdiction. Titus was leaving by mutual agreement with Mufamadi, he said.
 
Titus's reputation for efficiency and hard work was one of the reasons he was chosen recently to lead a government probe into the conduct that led to the suspension of controversial defence department arms procurement chief Shamin "Chippy" Shaik.

The inquiry last week found Shaik guilty of contravening the Defence Act for illegally disclosing confidential information and he is expected to learn his fate this week.

Asked to comment on his departure yesterday, Titus said he had discussed his decision with Mufamadi, who had asked him to stay on as his special adviser.

"Mufamadi will advise the nation when the time comes about this role that I will be playing as a special adviser," Titus said.

The post of director-general was advertised in the weekend newspapers and Titus said he would continue in the position until a replacement was found.

Presidential spokesman Bheki Khumalo said Mbeki had long delegated the appointment of directors-general to his ministers and would not be involved in appointing Titus's replacement.

After the process of interviews had been completed and the right candidate found by Mufamadi, he would have to make a recommendation to the cabinet and get its consent on the new appointment, Khumalo said.

Titus joined the department in 1997 after a stint with the Eastern Cape legislature as secretary from 1994. He served under Valli Moosa, who is now in charge of environmental affairs and tourism, for two years and he spent three with Mufamadi.

Titus's departure comes a month after the resignation of his foreign affairs counterpart, Sipho Pityana, due to reported "tension" with his minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Several post-1994 directors-general have left early because of tension with their principals.

Acknowledgements to Xolani Xundu and Business Day