Ramaphosa expected to announce Kieswetter’s successor as Sars commissioner

President Ramaphosa to appoint new South African Revenue Services (Sars) commissioner soon. Picture: Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the incoming commissioner for the South African Revenue Services (Sars) by the end of March 2026, according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The development suggests that the hunt for the new commissioner for the tax agency has been successful after the hiring panel hit a deadlock earlier in the year, resulting in a request for additional names from the National Treasury.

Godongwana, in hisresponseto Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of parliament Omphile Maotwe’s question, said the search has concluded, and the president has been given the names to make the selection. Maotwe had asked what progress had been made in finding a replacement for Edward Kieswetter, the outgoing commissioner. “The recruitment process for the appointment of the Sars commissioner has been completed, and the recommendations have been submitted to the president for his consideration,” said Godongwana.

“the president may make the announcement by the end of March 2026.” It is unclear if any of the three deputy commissioners, each responsible for a specific department, were considered for Kieswetter’s position. The three deputies are Johnstone Makhubu, responsible for taxpayer engagement and operations; Carl Scholtz, for enterprise strategy and modernisation; and Bridgitte Backman, for corporate and enterprise services. The hiring panel, led by former minister Nhlanhla Nene, had interviewed at least 19 people by early February 2026,but had requested for more names, including those of headhunted prospects.

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“When the panel looked at the interviews of 19 people, they thought that one person was outstanding,” said Godongwana at the time. “They proposed further headhunting to me so that the interview process should be balanced.” Replacing Kieswetter demands a rigorous process, after he restored the tax agency’s credibility and public trust.

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