President Ramaphosa Appoints Deputy Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu to Lead SARS Post-Kieswetter Era

President Ramaphosa appoints Dr. Johnstone Makhubu as SARS Commissioner to succeed Edward Kieswetter, following a record R2 trillion revenue year.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 3, 2026, 9:11 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BusinessTech

A Seamless Leadership Transition at the Revenue Service

President Cyril Ramaphosa has finalized the appointment of Dr. Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the next Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), ensuring leadership continuity for the nation's primary fiscal organ. The decision, made in accordance with the South African Revenue Service Act of 1997, follows a unanimous recommendation from a high-level selection panel led by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Makhubu, who currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations, will officially take the helm on May 1, 2026, as the contract for the outgoing Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, concludes at the end of April.

Expertise Spanning Regulated Industries and Public Finance

The incoming Commissioner is recognized as a seasoned executive with over 17 years of senior leadership experience across a diverse array of complex sectors. Before his most recent role at SARS, Makhubu held significant positions in the mining, power generation, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industries. This multidisciplinary background in commercial finance and operations management is viewed as a critical asset for navigating the increasingly technical and regulated landscape of modern tax administration. President Ramaphosa noted that Makhubu has been a central figure in shaping the agency’s strategic direction since 2020, working in close alignment with the current administration to modernize the service.

The Legacy of the Vision 2024 Strategy

Makhubu’s appointment signals a commitment to the "Vision 2024" strategy, a digital-first modernization program that he helped implement alongside Commissioner Kieswetter. Under this framework, SARS achieved a compounded annual growth rate of 7.6 percent in revenue collections, while voluntary compliance metrics saw a notable increase of 3.4 percentage points. By leveraging technology to simplify the taxpayer experience, the agency managed to expand its effectiveness despite a narrowing tax base and significant economic headwinds. Makhubu is expected to further these gains by integrating more advanced data analytics and biometric systems into the national tax infrastructure.