Ethical leadership and service delivery : a case of Msunduzi Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Province

Abstract

Leadership ethics in the South African government has been a challenge, especially in a democratic government. South African government leaders have paid less attention to leadership ethics but mainly focused on reducing corruption, which is the result of poor leadership ethics. Poor public service delivery by various government institutions shows that there is a lack of leadership ethics by those entrusted with a responsibility to lead government institutions. Good leadership ethics are important for all spheres of government. The overall aim of the study was to explore and examine the challenges of ethics in leadership at a local government level and the impact of ethics on public service delivery using the case study of Msunduzi local government. The study examined the extent to which ethical leadership affected public service delivery at Msunduzi Municipality. It also investigated the perceptions of employees and executive managers of the Municipality regarding the disposition of the leadership towards ethical behaviours. The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. The study obtained its data from interviews, questionnaires, public documents, and existing literature. The study found that a lack of leadership ethics affected the public service delivery in the Municipality, and its attendant effects on the economic and social services. Leaders who do not have regard for ethical conduct have no passion for public service delivery. Lack of leadership ethics in government institutions affected the operation. The study discovered further that the lack of leadership ethics at the local government institutions disrupted national and provincial government plans to provide effective public services. Msunduzi municipality has experienced several challenges, which include the mismanagement of public funds, corruption, and poor administration. This municipality had qualified audits for more than three consecutive years, and it was placed under administration. The researcher developed an ethical behavior model that can be used to improve leadership ethics in government institutions.