Ramaphosa Names Makhubu SARS Commissioner from May 2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Dr. Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, effective May 1, 2026, for a five-year term. The move, announced by the presidency on Thursday, ensures continuity at the tax agency following the end of Edward Kieswetter's tenure on April 30.

Makhubu, currently the deputy commissioner for Taxpayer Engagement and Operations at SARS, was unanimously recommended by a selection panel convened by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, in line with the SARS Act of 1997. With more than 17 years of senior leadership experience in tax administration, finance, commercial strategy, and operations across public and private sectors, Makhubu has worked in industries including fast-moving consumer goods, mining, and power generation. He joined SARS in 2016, initially as chief procurement officer, and has since held roles such as chief financial officer, chief revenue officer, and deputy commissioner since 2023. Since 2020, he has contributed to the agency's strategic direction, including the implementation of the Vision 2024 strategy, which drove a compounded annual revenue growth rate of 7.6 percent and a 3.4...