Ngobani Makhubu, the newly appointed as a new SARS Commissioner. Image: SARS
SARS
1Min
South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new SARS Commissioner, effective May 1, marking a leadership transition at the revenue service as Edward Kieswetter concludes his term.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has on Thursday appointed Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), effective May 1.
Dr Makhubu will serve as a SARS Commissioner for a period of five years.
The presidency said in a statement that Makhubu’s appointment was made in terms of section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act of 1997, following a unanimous recommendation by a selection panel convened by Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana.
Dr Makhubu, who has held the position of Deputy Commissioner: Taxpayer Engagement & Operations since 2023, succeeds Commissioner Edward Kieswetter whose two-year contract ends on 30 April 2026.
He 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.
Dr Makhubu has worked in complex, regulated and large-scale organisations across multiple industries including fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), mining, power generation and public revenue services.
Dr 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.
Ramaphosa congratulated Dr 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.
He has 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.
The presidency said the change in the leadership of SARS shows how sound succession planning contributes to the capability of the state.
Godongwana also congratulated Dr Makhubu, saying he looks forward to working with him to build on the strong foundation laid by outgoing Kieswetter.
