President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the next commissioner for the South African Revenue Service by the end of March 2026, according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
Godongwana said the recruitment process has been completed and recommendations have been submitted to the president. The search for a successor to outgoing commissioner Edward Kieswetter had earlier hit a deadlock, prompting a request for additional names from National Treasury.
The minister was responding to a question from Economic Freedom Fighters MP Omphile Maotwe about the progress made in finding a replacement for Kieswetter.
Godongwana said the president may make the announcement by the end of March.
It is not clear whether any of the three deputy commissioners were considered for the position. The 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 before requesting more names, including headhunted candidates. Godongwana said at the time that the panel felt one person stood out but wanted a balanced process.
Kieswetter’s tenure at Sars comes to an end in April 2026. He was appointed commissioner in 2019, and his contract was extended by two years in February 2024. He is credited with restoring the tax agency’s credibility and public trust after a period of decline.
According to Sars’ 2025 remuneration report, Kieswetter was the top earner with a package of R10.7 million, down from R11.7 million the previous year. His salary was R8 million, along with a R2 million bonus. In 2024, he received a bonus of R3.6 million.