The newly appointed Commissioner for the South African Revenue Services (SARS) Dr. Ngobani Makhubu says his team will take up the fight against the illicit economy as he readies to take over the reigns.

Makhubu is succeeding Edward Kieswetter who has been at the helm of SARS for the past seven years and will remain until the end of this month.

The new Commissioner, who will take over on the 1st of May, has thanked his predecessor for his leadership.

“We’ll continue implementing our strategic playbook, which involves our higher purpose pursuits, our strategic vision, strategic intent, our compliance theory, our strategic objectives and outcomes. These we will continue to pursue, because we feel that they are founded on sound global benchmarks. We will continue to focus together with others in government, to fight the scourge of the illicit economy and this we will do by making sure that we are integrated in our approach. I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to Commissioner Kieswetter, for his exemplary leadership and mentorship throughout the past seven years,” says Makhubu.

Video| SARS presents newly appointed Commissioner-Designate, Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu:

Kieswetter says South Africa will not be spared from the effects of US-Israel’s war on Iran but applauded the reduction of the general fuel levy by R3 for a month to ease the fuel cost burden.

Kieswetter says that while South Africa is not mostly reliant on the Middle East for trade, we will still feel the pinch of the oil price increases due to the war.

“Our reliance on the Middle East, is very low, we have one percent trade volume of our total trade with the world, that is dependent on Israel and Iran. But what is true is that, like the rest of the world, we’re also reliant on the oil flow from the Middle East, about 80 percent reliance on that and so it will impact our oil flow and secondly the rising oil prices will definitely come through and affect us.”

WATCH | Outgoing SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter says the fuel price hike will impact the cost of living for many people in the country. He adds many of the working class spend 40 percent their earnings on commuting to and from work. pic.twitter.com/yHoyp2ABI2

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 4, 2026