The Implications of Unethical Leadership on Good Governance Towards Service Delivery in Limpopo Provincial Government: A Case of the Department Education

Authors

  • M.K.K. Nkwinika Author
  • M.J. Mafunisa Author
  • M.M. Nekhavhambe Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.418

Keywords:

Governance, Good Governance, Ethics, Corruption, Policy, Public Service and Public Servant

Abstract

This paper aimed at examining the implications of unethical leadership on good governance towards service delivery in the Limpopo provincial government focusing at the Limpopo department of Education. The Office of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), in its national and provincial audit report for the 2021/2022 financial year, expressed concern over the high levels of corruption within the South African government. Additionally, the AGSA highlighted issues of ineffective governance, unethical leadership and incompetence within the Limpopo department of Education, which continue to receive qualified audit opinions.  The research utilised a case study research design as its chosen methodology. The paper employed a qualitative research approach expand knowledge through an informative and naturalistic exploration of the subject under investigation. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to recruit individuals who can provide valuable insights necessary for the analysis and interpretation of data in this study. The paper noted non-adherence to the law, ineffective security systems in vetting of government employees, poor planning and coordination being the thorny problem that contribute towards unethical leadership.  To curb unethical leadership, there is a need for the Limpopo provincial government to draft a provincial policy that prevents the interference of political office bearers and officials attached to positions of authority in the senior management service (SMS) level on tender processes and other strategic departmental projects.

References

Aphiri, M.J. 2016. The relationship between service delivery protests and crime in the Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo Province. (Master of Arts in Criminology. University of Limpopo).

Aspers, P., & Corte, U. 2021. What is qualitative in research. Qualitative Sociology. 44 (2). 599-608.

Babbie, F., & Mouton, J. 2001. The practice of social research. Cape Town. Oxford University Press.

Basheka, B.C., and Uwizeyimana, D. 2021. Trecking the historical concerns for efficiency and effectiveness in the study and practice of Public Administration. African Journal of Governance and Public Leaderdhip. 1 (1): 68-90.

Botlhoko,T.S. 2017. Promoting effective financial accountability in Local Government in the North-West Province for Municipal Public Accounts Committee. Doctor of Public Management. Central University of Technology, Free State).

Burns, N, & Grove, S.K. 2013. Understanding nursing research. 3rd edition. Philadelphia: Saubders Company.

Cloete, E.P. 2013. A critical analysis of the relationship between political transformation and corruption. (Doctor of Philosophy. University of the Free State).

Delphus, M.A. 2020. Public participation as a strategy to promote good governance in local government: The case of Blouberg Local Municipality. (Master of Administration. University of Venda).

De Vos, A.S. 2014. Research at grass roots for the social sciences and human service professions. Pretoria: Van Schaik.

Ekundayo, W.J. 2017. Good governance theory and the quest for good governance in Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 17 (5): 154-161.

Gildenhuys, J.S.H. 2004. Ethics and professionalism, the battle against public corruption. Stellenbosch, Cape Town. Sun Press.

Gray, D.E. 2016. Doing research in the Business World. New Delhi: Sage Publication Ltd.

Groenendijk, N. 1997. A principal-agent model of corruption. Crime, Law and Social Change. 27: 207-229.

Hassan, S., Kaur, P., Muchiri, M., Ogbonnaya, C., and Dhir, A. 2022. Unethical leadership: Review, synthesis and directions for future research. Journal of Business Ethics. 183: 511-550.

Haradhan, M. 2018. Qualitative Research Methodology in Social Sciences and Related Subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(01):23-48.

Jolande, M. 2017. School governance and public choice theory: a study of the decision-making authority in school systems. (Doctor of Philosophy. University of Florida).

Keping, Y. 2017. Governance and Good governance: A new framework for political analysis. Fudan J. Hum.Soc.Sci: 1-8.

Kiger, M.E., and Varpio, L. 2020. Thematic analysis of qualitative data: AMEE guide No. 131, Medical Teacher, DOI:10.1080/01421159X.2020.1755030.

Kivunja, C. 2017. Understanding and applying research paradigms in Educational Contexts. International Journal of Higher Education. 6 (5): 26-41.

Koto, A., and Kanjere. 2021 Public procurement corruption and corporate scandals in Limpopo province, South Africa: A content analysis perspective. Acta Universitatis Danubius: Relationes Internationates. 14 (2): 65-83.

Krsteski, N.G.H. 2017. Corruption in South Africa: Genesis and Outlook. Journal of Process Management. 5 (4): 49-54.

Lekubu, B.H. 2019. A critique of South African Anti-Corruption Strategies and Structures: A comparative analysis. (Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Criminal Justice. University of South Africa).

Mafunisa, M.J. 2000. Public Service Ethics. Kenwyn: Juta & Co Ltd.

Mafunisa M.J. 2008. The role of codes of conduct in promoting ethical conduct in the South African public service. South African Journal of Labour Relations. 32 (1):81-92.

Maile, K.V., and Vyas-Doorgapersad, S. 2022. Organisational Ethics Management to promote good governance in the South African public service. Business ethics and leadership. 6 (2): 78-85.

Mamokhere, J., 2022. Understanding the Complex Interplay of Governance, Systematic, and Structural Factors Affecting Service Delivery in South African Municipalities. Commonwealth Youth & Development, 20 (2).

Mantzaris, E.A. 2017. Corruption as a violation of Basic Human Rights in South Africa and Russia. African Journal of Public Affairs. 9 (8):16-30.

Mboweni, P.C. 2020. Implementation of Batho Pele Principles in Local Government: The case of Mopani District Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Doctor of Administration. University of Venda.

Mouton, J. 2001. How to succeed in your Master’s and Doctoral studies: A South African guide and resource book. Pretoria: Van Schaik publishers

Mundzhedzi, P.H. 2011. Performance Management System and improved productivity: A case of the Department of Local government and Housing in the Limpopo Province. Master of Administration. University of South Africa.

Myint, U. 2000. Corruption: Causes consequences and cures. Asia-Pacific Development Journal 7 (2): 33-58.

Ngcamu, B.S. 2019. Exploring service delivery protests in post-apartheid South African municipalities: A literature review. The Journal for Transdisciplinary Research in Southern Africa. 15 (1): 1-9.

Nkwinika, M.K.K. 2021. Analysing drivers of low incidences of service delivery protests in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. Master of Administration. University of Pretoria.

Olujobi, O.J., and Olujobi, O.M. 2020. Theories of corruption “public choice extractive theory” as Alternative for combating corruption. International Journal of Environmental Sustainability and Green Technologies. 11 (2):68-83.

Phahlane, M. 2021. Political will to fight corruption in the South African Public Service. An ethical political leadership perspective in line Departments. Master of Public Administration. University of Stellenbosch).

Paruchuri, S., Hoempher, E.A., Cowen, A.P., Albert, A., Cannella, J.R., and Nahim, P.I. 2024. Governance failure and governance under failure: Reviewing the role of Directors in organisational misconduct. Journal of Management. 50 (6): 2237-2265.

Ramalepe, L.V. 2021. Ethical corporate governance: The significance and impactyt of ethics in the South African corporate culture. Master’s in governance and political transformation. University of Free State.

Sebola, M. 2014. Ethics in the South African Public Service: A paradox of culture, politics and ethics in the world of work. Journal of social sciences, Vol 40 (3): 295-303.

Shai, L.K. 2017. Leadership and Governance in service delivery at the Greater Tubatse Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa. (Master of Administration in Public Administration. University of Pretoria).

Singo, A.T. 2018. Ethical leadership in the Limpopo Provincial public service of South Africa: An imperative for good governance. (Doctor of Philosophy. University of Venda).

Singo, A.T., Mafunisa, M.J., & Vermack, J.N. 2022. Ethical leadership as an imperative to good governance in the public service. The case of the Limpopo Province. Journal of Public Administration. 57 (3): 644-658.

Uwizeyimana, D. 2014. Assessment of the intervention of the National Government in the Limpopo province of South Africa (2011-2013). Administratio Publica. 22 (4): 80-99.

Uwizeyimana, D.E. and Maphunye, K.J. 2014. The changing global Public Administration and its theoretical and practical implications for Africa. Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research. 6 (4): 90-101.

Vyas-Doorgapersad, S. 2024. Overview of corruption in South African context. Insights into regional Development. 6 (4): 82-95.

Welman, J.C., Kruger, S.J. & Mitchell, B. 2010. 9th Edition. Research Methodology. 3rd edition. Southern Africa. Published by Oxford University Press.

Xu, W., and Zammit, K. (2020. Applying Thematic Analysis to Education: A Hybrid approach to interpreting data in practitioner research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19:1-9.

Yin, R.K. 2014. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Fifth Edition. Sage Publications.

Downloads

Published

2025-11-06

Issue

Section

Original Research Paper

How to Cite

Nkwinika, M., Mafunisa, M., & Nekhavhambe, M. (2025). The Implications of Unethical Leadership on Good Governance Towards Service Delivery in Limpopo Provincial Government: A Case of the Department Education. International Journal of Applied Research in Business and Management, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.418