UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Economic and Management Sciences
⋄
PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
Semester 1 Portfolio – May/June 2026
⋄
Module Code: PUB3707
Module Name: Ethics in Public Administration and Admin-
istrative Justice
Assignment No.: Portfolio of Evidence (Assignment 3)
Due Date: 29 May 2026 at 22h00
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for PUB3707:
Ethics in Public Administration and Administrative Justice
at the University of South Africa.
,UNISA | PUB3707 Ethics in Public Administration
Contents
Introduction 2
1 Question 1: Administrative Justice and Responsible Public Administration 3
1.1 1.1 Administrative Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 1.2 Administrative Justice and Public Administration . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 1.3 Implication of Administrative Justice for Responsible Public Admin-
istration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.4 1.4 Qualities of a Just Public Official . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Question 2: Delegated Legislation in Public Administration 9
2.1 2.1 Types of Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2 2.2 The Necessity of Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3 2.3 Disadvantages of Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4 2.4 Forms of Control over Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Conclusion 16
Reference List 17
Page 1 of 18
, UNISA | PUB3707 Ethics in Public Administration
Introduction
Public administration in any democratic state rests on a foundation of law, ethics, and ac-
countability. The two questions explored in this portfolio address distinct but related pillars
of that foundation. The first question examines administrative justice: what it means, how
it shapes public administration, what it demands of public officials, and what qualities a just
official must possess. The second question turns to the practical machinery of governance, ex-
amining delegated legislation: its forms, its necessity, its shortcomings, and the mechanisms
used to keep it in check.
Together, these two themes reflect the central tension of public administration: the need for
efficiency on the one hand and the need for fairness, legality, and accountability on the other.
South Africa provides a particularly instructive context because the Promotion of Adminis-
trative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA) gives constitutional force to administrative justice prin-
ciples, while the country’s legislative history illustrates both the necessity and the dangers of
delegated powers.
The discussion that follows draws on the prescribed study material (Study Guide 2), relevant
legislation, and peer-reviewed academic sources. All arguments are substantiated, and practi-
cal South African examples are provided throughout.
Page 2 of 18
College of Economic and Management Sciences
⋄
PORTFOLIO OF EVIDENCE
Semester 1 Portfolio – May/June 2026
⋄
Module Code: PUB3707
Module Name: Ethics in Public Administration and Admin-
istrative Justice
Assignment No.: Portfolio of Evidence (Assignment 3)
Due Date: 29 May 2026 at 22h00
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for PUB3707:
Ethics in Public Administration and Administrative Justice
at the University of South Africa.
,UNISA | PUB3707 Ethics in Public Administration
Contents
Introduction 2
1 Question 1: Administrative Justice and Responsible Public Administration 3
1.1 1.1 Administrative Justice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 1.2 Administrative Justice and Public Administration . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3 1.3 Implication of Administrative Justice for Responsible Public Admin-
istration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.4 1.4 Qualities of a Just Public Official . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 Question 2: Delegated Legislation in Public Administration 9
2.1 2.1 Types of Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.2 2.2 The Necessity of Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.3 2.3 Disadvantages of Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4 2.4 Forms of Control over Delegated Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Conclusion 16
Reference List 17
Page 1 of 18
, UNISA | PUB3707 Ethics in Public Administration
Introduction
Public administration in any democratic state rests on a foundation of law, ethics, and ac-
countability. The two questions explored in this portfolio address distinct but related pillars
of that foundation. The first question examines administrative justice: what it means, how
it shapes public administration, what it demands of public officials, and what qualities a just
official must possess. The second question turns to the practical machinery of governance, ex-
amining delegated legislation: its forms, its necessity, its shortcomings, and the mechanisms
used to keep it in check.
Together, these two themes reflect the central tension of public administration: the need for
efficiency on the one hand and the need for fairness, legality, and accountability on the other.
South Africa provides a particularly instructive context because the Promotion of Adminis-
trative Justice Act 3 of 2000 (PAJA) gives constitutional force to administrative justice prin-
ciples, while the country’s legislative history illustrates both the necessity and the dangers of
delegated powers.
The discussion that follows draws on the prescribed study material (Study Guide 2), relevant
legislation, and peer-reviewed academic sources. All arguments are substantiated, and practi-
cal South African examples are provided throughout.
Page 2 of 18
