South Africa’s finance minister touted Johnstone Makhubu to take over as commissioner of the nation’s tax agency, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The support makes Makhubu a strong contender to replace Edward Kieswetter as the head of the South African Revenue Service when he steps down, said the person who asked not to be identified as discussions about the succession plan aren’t public.
Makhubu has been deputy commissioner of taxpayer engagement at SARS since 2023, when he was appointed along with two other deputies.
It is “mischievous and inaccurate to suggest that Minister Godongwana has a favourite or particular candidate in mind for the position,” the minister’s office said in a statement sent by the National Treasury.
“At the appropriate time, an advert for post of commissioner of SARS will be issued allowing anyone who is suitably qualified and meets the requirements and criteria to apply.”
Kieswetter is due to step down as commissioner in April.
Appointed in May 2019, his five-year term was extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024 for two years as an interim measure to ensure a “smooth leadership transition,” the presidency said at the time.
An “open and transparent recruitment process will be conducted to determine the most suitable candidate to recommend to President Ramaphosa whom in consultation with the minister of finance, bears the authority for the appointment.”
Kieswetter has asked Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for an early release from his current contract, and the position will be formally advertised in the coming weeks, the person said.
Godongwana will make his recommendation to Ramaphosa at the end of that process.
The commissioner is expected to stay on until December to oversee the handover to his successor, the person said.
Kieswetter didn’t answer his phone and didn’t respond to a text message seeking comment.
BLOOMBERG