Enhancing procedural fairness in administrative action of the Administrative Justice Act of South African using web - based Group Support Systems

Abstract

The Government of the Republic of South Africa is committed to establishing a society grounded on democratic ideals, social fairness and fundamental human rights. For this to happen, any decisions to be taken by the government need to be justified, or that for decisions that have been taken, an explanation is made to the affected people if requested. This fundamental human right, promulgated in the Promotion of the Administrative Justice Act No 3 of 2000 (AJA), is one of the primary policies that the government purposes to apply to achieve greater egalitarian governance with regard to social equality and respect for the people. In this research article, we focus on the potential of using web-based Group Support Systems (GSS) to enhance procedural fairness in administrative action of the AJA. We review the context of the research and important programs by the government, along with its use of information and communication technology to get closer to and empower the people. Considering the social focus of the research, qualitative data was collected over a period of five months using action research, case studies, observations, participant observations, semistructured interviews and electronic logs. Using hermeneutics, the analysis reveals that web-based GSS have the potential to enhance procedural fairness in administrative action