By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Receiver of Revenue (SARS) has welcomed its new commissioner, Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu, who will take over from Edward Kieswetter, whose term ends at the end of the month.
Speaking at a briefing on Saturday, Kieswetter said the performance outcome that South Africans are seeing now is a result of institutional strength, not only individual stewardship.
“By our own standards, we will tell you we still have a long way to go. The transition is an important and necessary one that will not disrupt the institution,” Kieswetter said.
Kieswetter said the commissioner-designate, Makhubu will use this period to deepen his understanding of the organization, to begin internal engagements with leadership.
“This approach is deliberate, it preserves momentum, safeguards governance, and protects institutional integrity.” he explained.
Kieswetter will bow out on a high after reporting record-breaking revenue collections at his last tax takings results announcement on Wednesday.
When he took up the top spot at SARS, he had the unenviable task of re-equipping the tax service to be the efficient and effective powerhouse it once was.
Makhubu says he steps into the position determined to safeguard the strides made over the past seven years while advancing the institution’s mandate.
He has worked at SARS since 2016, first as its chief procurement officer, then as chief finance officer between 2018 and 2020, and as chief revenue officer up until 2023, when he was appointed deputy commissioner.
Makhubu, awarded a PhD in Leadership from the Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute at University of Pretoria in 2024, has helped to craft the SARS strategic direction since 2020 and has been part of the team behind the Vision 2024 strategy.
That saw revenue collections grow by a compounded annual rate of 7.6%, leading to the R2.01-trillion mark reached in the last financial year.
Makhubu vowed to continue where Kieswetter left.
“SARS effectively funds our democracy. I will build on what’s been done in the last seven years under Commissioner Kieswetter. SARS is a special organisation that needs to be protected.”
He said his 14 000 workforce will work hard to achieve the revenue collection and go after the illicit trade that is harming the tax collection efforts.
With South African economic growth likely to fall short of current projections this year because of the unfolding conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran – which will already cost SARS R6-billion in lost revenue this month because of the slashing of the fuel levy to cushion the impact of surging pump prices – Makhubu will have his work cut out for him.
Makhubu holds the following qualifications:
A Bachelor of Science degree (Electrical Engineering) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of South Africa (Unisa); Master’s degree in Business Leadership from Unisa, and PhD in Leadership from the University of Pretoria.