PUB3707
MAY JUNE Portfolio 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 29 May 2026
INTRODUCTION
Public administration plays an important role in ensuring that government institutions serve
citizens fairly, responsibly and within the law. In South Africa, public officials are expected to
uphold administrative justice by making decisions that are lawful, transparent and unbiased.
Administrative justice is closely linked to accountability, ethical conduct and effective service
delivery because citizens depend on public institutions for protection of their rights and
access to essential services. This portfolio discusses the meaning of administrative justice,
its relationship with public administration, the implications for responsible governance and
the qualities required of a just public official. The portfolio also examines delegated
legislation, which has become increasingly important in modern public administration due to
the growing complexity of government functions. Attention is given to the different types of
delegated legislation, the reasons for its use, its disadvantages and the various forms of
control used to ensure that delegated powers are exercised fairly and within legal limits.
,INTRODUCTION
Public administration plays an important role in ensuring that government institutions
serve citizens fairly, responsibly and within the law. In South Africa, public officials
are expected to uphold administrative justice by making decisions that are lawful,
transparent and unbiased. Administrative justice is closely linked to accountability,
ethical conduct and effective service delivery because citizens depend on public
institutions for protection of their rights and access to essential services. This
portfolio discusses the meaning of administrative justice, its relationship with public
administration, the implications for responsible governance and the qualities required
of a just public official. The portfolio also examines delegated legislation, which has
become increasingly important in modern public administration due to the growing
complexity of government functions. Attention is given to the different types of
delegated legislation, the reasons for its use, its disadvantages and the various
forms of control used to ensure that delegated powers are exercised fairly and within
legal limits.
QUESTION 1
Introduction
Administrative justice is an important principle in public administration because it
ensures that public officials act fairly, reasonably and lawfully when serving citizens.
In South Africa, public institutions are expected to protect the rights and dignity of all
people in line with constitutional values and democratic principles. Public officials
make decisions daily about licences, housing, social grants, electricity provision and
other public services that directly affect communities. These decisions must
therefore be made in a fair and unbiased manner to avoid abuse of power and
injustice. Administrative justice also promotes accountability, transparency and
public trust in government institutions. The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3
of 2000 guides public officials on lawful and fair administrative conduct. In the South
African public sector, challenges such as corruption, favouritism and poor service
delivery make administrative justice even more important. Ethical public officials are
, therefore needed to ensure that government decisions promote fairness, equality
and responsible governance (Wessels, Pauw & Thani, 2014:45).
1.1 Administrative justice
Administrative justice refers to the duty of public officials and public institutions to act
fairly, reasonably, lawfully and impartially when making decisions that affect citizens.
It ensures that government actions respect the rights and dignity of people and that
decisions are not influenced by corruption, favouritism or personal interests.
Administrative justice also requires that citizens must be treated equally and be
given an opportunity to be heard before decisions affecting them are taken (Fox,
2010:62).
In South Africa, administrative justice is protected by the Constitution and the
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. This legislation requires
administrative actions to be procedurally fair and lawful. Public officials must
therefore provide valid reasons for decisions and avoid abusing discretionary
powers. Administrative justice promotes accountability and protects citizens against
unfair treatment by government departments and officials (Lawton, 2013:88).
An example of administrative justice can be seen in the allocation of social housing
by municipalities. Officials responsible for housing allocation must follow fair
procedures and apply the same criteria to all applicants. If officials unfairly prioritise
friends or family members, administrative justice is violated because other deserving
citizens are denied equal treatment. Another example is the approval of business
licences by local government authorities. Officials must assess all applications fairly
and without discrimination or bribery (Gildenhuys, 2004:97).
Administrative justice therefore strengthens democracy because it ensures that
public power is exercised responsibly and in the interests of society. Citizens are
more likely to trust public institutions when they are treated fairly and respectfully
(Huberts, 2007:54).
1.2 Administrative justice and public administration
Administrative justice and public administration are closely connected because
public administration involves the implementation of government policies and the
MAY JUNE Portfolio 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 29 May 2026
INTRODUCTION
Public administration plays an important role in ensuring that government institutions serve
citizens fairly, responsibly and within the law. In South Africa, public officials are expected to
uphold administrative justice by making decisions that are lawful, transparent and unbiased.
Administrative justice is closely linked to accountability, ethical conduct and effective service
delivery because citizens depend on public institutions for protection of their rights and
access to essential services. This portfolio discusses the meaning of administrative justice,
its relationship with public administration, the implications for responsible governance and
the qualities required of a just public official. The portfolio also examines delegated
legislation, which has become increasingly important in modern public administration due to
the growing complexity of government functions. Attention is given to the different types of
delegated legislation, the reasons for its use, its disadvantages and the various forms of
control used to ensure that delegated powers are exercised fairly and within legal limits.
,INTRODUCTION
Public administration plays an important role in ensuring that government institutions
serve citizens fairly, responsibly and within the law. In South Africa, public officials
are expected to uphold administrative justice by making decisions that are lawful,
transparent and unbiased. Administrative justice is closely linked to accountability,
ethical conduct and effective service delivery because citizens depend on public
institutions for protection of their rights and access to essential services. This
portfolio discusses the meaning of administrative justice, its relationship with public
administration, the implications for responsible governance and the qualities required
of a just public official. The portfolio also examines delegated legislation, which has
become increasingly important in modern public administration due to the growing
complexity of government functions. Attention is given to the different types of
delegated legislation, the reasons for its use, its disadvantages and the various
forms of control used to ensure that delegated powers are exercised fairly and within
legal limits.
QUESTION 1
Introduction
Administrative justice is an important principle in public administration because it
ensures that public officials act fairly, reasonably and lawfully when serving citizens.
In South Africa, public institutions are expected to protect the rights and dignity of all
people in line with constitutional values and democratic principles. Public officials
make decisions daily about licences, housing, social grants, electricity provision and
other public services that directly affect communities. These decisions must
therefore be made in a fair and unbiased manner to avoid abuse of power and
injustice. Administrative justice also promotes accountability, transparency and
public trust in government institutions. The Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3
of 2000 guides public officials on lawful and fair administrative conduct. In the South
African public sector, challenges such as corruption, favouritism and poor service
delivery make administrative justice even more important. Ethical public officials are
, therefore needed to ensure that government decisions promote fairness, equality
and responsible governance (Wessels, Pauw & Thani, 2014:45).
1.1 Administrative justice
Administrative justice refers to the duty of public officials and public institutions to act
fairly, reasonably, lawfully and impartially when making decisions that affect citizens.
It ensures that government actions respect the rights and dignity of people and that
decisions are not influenced by corruption, favouritism or personal interests.
Administrative justice also requires that citizens must be treated equally and be
given an opportunity to be heard before decisions affecting them are taken (Fox,
2010:62).
In South Africa, administrative justice is protected by the Constitution and the
Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000. This legislation requires
administrative actions to be procedurally fair and lawful. Public officials must
therefore provide valid reasons for decisions and avoid abusing discretionary
powers. Administrative justice promotes accountability and protects citizens against
unfair treatment by government departments and officials (Lawton, 2013:88).
An example of administrative justice can be seen in the allocation of social housing
by municipalities. Officials responsible for housing allocation must follow fair
procedures and apply the same criteria to all applicants. If officials unfairly prioritise
friends or family members, administrative justice is violated because other deserving
citizens are denied equal treatment. Another example is the approval of business
licences by local government authorities. Officials must assess all applications fairly
and without discrimination or bribery (Gildenhuys, 2004:97).
Administrative justice therefore strengthens democracy because it ensures that
public power is exercised responsibly and in the interests of society. Citizens are
more likely to trust public institutions when they are treated fairly and respectfully
(Huberts, 2007:54).
1.2 Administrative justice and public administration
Administrative justice and public administration are closely connected because
public administration involves the implementation of government policies and the
