State Capture eroded institutions in South Africa. How the revenue service is rebuilding itself

MILLS SOKO

South Africa’s Revenue Service is one of many state institutions in South Africa that have been fingered in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. In addition, a special commission established to investigate internal governance at the agency found massive failures of governance. Professor Mills Soko spoke to Commissioner Edward Kieswetter about the turnaround at the state institution.

Mills Soko: You worked as a power station manager at the state utility Eskom which is currently in so much trouble. What was your experience working there? And what comes to mind when you observe the utility today?

Edward Kieswetter: I was a young 33-year-old when I was appointed to run a small power station. We had a highly scaffolded environment, surrounded by people who were steeped in practical experience and institutional memory.

In the decade I was privileged to be there, we transformed Eskom from an average performing utility into