South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), marking a key leadership transition at the country’s tax authority, according to TradingView.
Makhubu’s appointment will take effect on May 1, 2026, for a five-year term, following a unanimous recommendation by a selection panel convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
He succeeds outgoing commissioner Edward Kieswetter, whose contract concludes at the end of April after overseeing a period of improved revenue performance and institutional rebuilding.
A long-serving insider, Makhubu previously held the role of Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations and brings over 17 years of leadership experience across both public and private sectors, positioning him to continue reforms and strengthen tax administration.
Reuters say the appointment reflects a focus on continuity and institutional stability, as SARS remains central to South Africa’s fiscal health, responsible for tax collection, compliance enforcement, and funding government operations.
