Ramaphosa appoints Makhubu as SARS chief

April 6, 2026

Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu with outgoing SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter during the press conference announcing the leadership transition. Photo by X/@sarstax

Tshwane, South Africa – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service for a five year term beginning on 1 May 2026.

The announcement was made in Tshwane on Thursday, 2 April 2026. Dr Makhubu will take over from outgoing Commissioner Edward Kieswetter whose contract comes to an end on 30 April 2026.

The President made the appointment in terms of section 6 of the South African Revenue Service Act 34 of 1997, following a unanimous recommendation by a selection panel convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and chaired by former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene. The panel found Dr Makhubu fit and properly qualified to assume the role.

Dr Makhubu has served as Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations since 1 May 2023. His elevation forms part of a succession planning process aligned with the findings of the Nugent Commission of Inquiry into administration and governance at SARS.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter welcomed the appointment.

“President Ramaphosa could not have tasked a more eminently qualified individual to take over. Dr Makhubu has comprehensive knowledge of SARS and has been intimately involved in developments at SARS. There is no doubt in my mind that this elevation is well earned. I have personally worked with the Commissioner designate and can confidently say that he will deliver on the important assignment of helping to build a capable state to advance the well being of all South Africans by collecting all revenue due to the state. Along with the men and women of SARS, we wish Johnstone well as he prepares to take on this significant role as SARS Commissioner.”

Dr Makhubu is regarded as a seasoned executive with more than 17 years of senior leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. His background spans tax administration, finance, commercial operations and management in complex and regulated industries including fast moving consumer goods, mining, power generation and public revenue services.

He has been part of the formulation of SARS strategic direction since 2020 and played an active role in implementing the Vision 2024 strategy alongside the current Commissioner. The implementation of Vision 2024 delivered revenue collections with a compounded annual growth rate of 7.6 percent while voluntary compliance increased by 3.4 percentage points.

Dr Makhubu holds a PhD in Leadership, a Master in Business Leadership, a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Economics.

President Ramaphosa congratulated Dr Makhubu on his appointment to lead the revenue service, describing SARS as a key institution responsible for mobilising financial resources that enable government to fund infrastructure and social services. The President also expressed appreciation for Kieswetter’s leadership over the past years, noting that the transition demonstrates the value of structured succession planning within the State.