President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as commissioner of the South African Revenue Service.
Makhubu will replace Edward Kieswetter, who has been SARS boss since May 2019. Kieswetter, whose contract was renewed two years ago, will leave on April 30.
Ramaphosa stated that Makhubu was appointed following a unanimous recommendation by a selection panel convened by Enoch Godongwana, the Minister of Finance.
Makhubu has held the position of deputy commissioner: taxpayer engagement and operations since 2023.
“The incoming commissioner is a seasoned public and private sector executive with more than 17 years of senior leadership experience spanning tax administration, commercial, finance, and operations management,” said Vincent Magwenya, the spokesperson for Ramaphosa.
He has worked in complex, regulated, and large-scale organisations across multiple industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, mining, power generation, and public revenue services.
Vision 2024
“Makhubu has worked on the formulation of the SARS strategic direction since 2020 and has actively worked to implement the Vision 2024 strategy together with the current commissioner.
“The implementation of Vision 2024 achieved revenue collections with a compounded annual growth rate of 7.6% while voluntary compliance increased by 3.4 percentage points,” said Magwenya.
Ramaphosa congratulated Makhubu on his appointment to lead the revenue service as the institution that provides the financial resources necessary for the government to function, fund infrastructure, and pay for social services.
The president also expressed his appreciation and high regard for “commissioner Kieswetter’s incisive and innovative leadership that has positioned SARS as a critical enabler of fiscal stability, social delivery, trade facilitation, and the enablement of domestic and foreign investment”.
He said the change in the leadership of SARS shows how sound succession planning contributes to the capability of the state.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Dr. Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner, succeeding Edward Kieswetter who will leave on April 30.
- Makhubu, who was deputy commissioner for taxpayer engagement and operations since 2023, was unanimously recommended by a selection panel led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
- Makhubu brings over 17 years of leadership experience across tax administration, finance, and various industries including FMCG, mining, and power generation.
- He has contributed to SARS’ Vision 2024 strategy since 2020, which led to a 7.6% annual growth in revenue collections and a 3.4 percentage point rise in voluntary compliance.
- Ramaphosa praised Kieswetter’s leadership for strengthening SARS’ role in fiscal stability and social services, emphasizing the importance of sound succession planning for state capability.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr
Ramaphosa stated that
"
He has worked in complex, regulated, and large-scale organisations across multiple industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, mining, power generation, and public revenue services.
"
"
Ramaphosa congratulated
He said the change in the leadership of SARS shows how sound succession planning contributes to the capability of the state.
