Edward Kieswetter gets a new job
Edward Kieswetter, the former commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), has established his own company, vEKtor Solutions Laboratory.
After 12 years in total working for SARS, Kieswetter is now the CEO of his new company. This development follows the conclusion of his tenure at SARS in April 2026.
“I’m excited to lead this new venture. Traditional consultancies are becoming irrelevant. vEKtor Solutions Lab goes beyond a glossy presentation and strategic advice,” said Kieswetter.
“It’s about working alongside teams to build meaningful AI-enabled practical solutions, evidence-based and demonstrable proof. It’s about closing the Execution Gap,” he said.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Kieswetter officially became the CEO of vEKtor Solutions Laboratory in May 2026.
Kieswetter’s consulting firm focuses on assisting corporate clients and public state institutions in enhancing their operations.
He brings a wealth of experience in turning around struggling institutions, a skill he demonstrated during his time as SARS Commissioner.
His background in business turnarounds began at Alexander Forbes, where he served as CEO from 2009 to 2016.
Under his leadership, Alexander Forbes achieved a significant financial recovery, rebuilt its reputation, and successfully relisted on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
However, Kieswetter’s most notable achievement is his work at SARS, an organisation that had been severely weakened during the State Capture era.
After this tumultuous period ended and a new administration was introduced, Kieswetter was appointed to restore SARS to its former strength.
He became the SARS Commissioner in May 2019, stepping away from all external roles he had assumed during his previous absence from the revenue service.
During his tenure, Kieswetter focused on rebuilding trust in SARS and enhancing its efficiency as a revenue collection agency.
In his final year as commissioner, the agency celebrated a record tax revenue collection of R2 trillion.
When Kieswetter’s term ended in April 2026, President Cyril Ramaphosa praised his leadership, stating that Kieswetter “has positioned SARS as a critical enabler of fiscal stability, social delivery, trade facilitation, and the enablement of domestic and foreign investment.”
Kieswetter was succeeded by his deputy commissioner, Johnstone Makhubu, who took over the role on 1 May 2026.
A new chapter for SARS
Earlier this year, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) welcomed its new Commissioner, Johnstone Makhubu, who succeeded the former Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter.
In his first official statement, Makhubu expressed that his appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa carries significant responsibility.
The Commissioner paid tribute to the recent history of recovery and reform at SARS.
He acknowledged the leadership of former Commissioner Edward Kieswetter in restoring institutional stability and rebuilding public confidence following a turbulent period in the organisation’s history.
He mentioned that SARS enters this new phase with a strong global reputation as a modern and capable revenue authority.
However, he warned that maintaining this standing will require ongoing discipline.
A central part of the new Commissioner’s agenda is an internal reform initiative called “Doing Basics Right,” which aims to enhance core operational performance.
Makhubu said that the goal is to create a system where compliance is simpler and more intuitive.
Makhubu also reaffirmed SARS’s commitment to addressing the country’s growing illicit economy, which continues to undermine the tax base and distort legitimate competition.
“SARS has developed its own Illicit Economy Strategy that will complement national efforts. The scale of the challenge is significant, and it demands coordinated and decisive action,” he said.
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