Business

Kieswetter’s replacement gets the thumbs up

Luke Fraser

 ·3 Apr 2026

The South African Institute of Taxation (SAIT) has welcomed the appointment of Dr Johnstone Makhubu as the next Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Makhubu as Commissioner of the SARS for a period of five years with effect from 1 May 2026.

Makhubu, who was the favourite for the role, is currently serving as SARS Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement & Operations, having been appointed in 2023.

He will succeed Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, whose two-year contract extension ends on 30 April 2026.

“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,” Ramaphosa said.

Makhubu has worked in several complex, regulated, and large-scale organisations across industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, mining, power generation, and public revenue services.

His appointment follows a unanimous recommendation by a panel convened by the Minister of Finance and marks a widely anticipated leadership transition at SARS.

“His appointment is universally welcomed within SARS and across the tax profession,” said SAIT.

“The Presidency noted that the transition underscores the growing maturity and stability of SARS as a cornerstone of South Africa’s fiscal framework.”

Makhubu has been involved in shaping SARS strategic direction since 2020 and has played a key role in bringing SARS back to the top of its game following a series of state capture issues at the tax service.

“His professional background spans multiple industries and operational perspectives, making him well-suited to lead one of South Africa’s most complex and important public institutions,” it said.

“Dr Makhubu is well known to the tax community through his regular engagement with professional bodies and stakeholders.”

SAIT said that Makhubu regularly addresses critical issues such as tax debt, compliance trends, and SARS modernisation initiatives, and operational enforcement priorities.

It said that it appreciates his willingness to engage in open and constructive dialogue in his current role at SARS.

“As we take note of our support of Dr Makhubu’s appointment, we extend our best wishes to outgoing SARS Commissioner Kieswetter,” said Professor Keith Engel, Chief Executive Officer of SAIT.

“Much has been accomplished during his tenure, including the full reconstruction of SARS as an entity.”

A tough act to follow

Makhubu will have a job following Kieswetter, who is widely acknowledged for turning SARS back into the efficient and effective powerhouse it once was.

Kieswetter emphasised technology as the driving force behind SARS’s tax collection efforts, while also trying to make SARS more user-friendly.

His leadership saw SARS focus on making paying taxes really easy and on making dodging taxes very expensive.

While returning the taxman to its efficient best, this came amid serious challenges facing South Africa, including the Covid-19 pandemic, load shedding, the July 2021 unrest, and a weak economy.

Despite this, the service has managed to rake in record revenue over the years, hitting R2 trillion in 2025/26.

“We take note of the challenges ahead as we appear to have turned the corner in terms of managing the country’s debt while expanding the tax base,” said Engel.

“We are confident that Dr Makhubu is an optimal choice for taking the country forward.”