Finance Minister lauds Kieswetter for turning SARS around

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has thanked outgoing South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter for his turnaround of the national revenue service.

Tabling the 2026 national budget on Wednesday, Godongwana was able to retract his plans to introduce taxes to meet a R20 billion revenue shortfall thanks to greater tax collection.

Instead, Godongwana has adjusted the tax brackets in line with inflation and increased medical tax credits.

With a hot mic incident over the hiking of taxes a year ago set aside, on Wednesaday, seated in their same positions as has become customary at a pre-budget press conference, Godongwana turned to Kieswetter to praise him for turning around an institution hollowed out by State capture.

“It is through the commissioner that we’ve been able to transform that institution into what it is today…back to what it was, and we must thank the commissioner for that.”

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Two hours later, Godongwana again heaped praise on Kieswetter as he concluded his budget address in the National Assembly, saying his unwavering integrity and commitment to operational excellence have been exemplary.

After seven years at the helm, Kieswetter will step down in April after President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his term by two years.

Godongwana said the National Treasury will soon be able to make a recommendation to the president for Kieswetter’s replacement.

“We think by April 1 there will be a new commissioner. The president will be at liberty to say: ‘Ok, I’ve listened to you guys, I’m not happy with what you’re giving me’. The law doesn’t say he must go through any process.”

SARS has been able to register an additional 1.3 million taxpayers over the past year and collected R21.3 billion more in taxes than previously projected, staving off any major tax hikes in 2026.