Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the term of office of the South African Revenue Services (SARS) Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, for another two years.
The decision was made following an agreement between Ramaphosa and Kieswetter to extend the tenure of the Commissioner to enable an orderly leadership transition in the organisation. He was appointed in March 2019, and his five-year term officially started on 1 May 2019, The Presidency said.
“Mr Kieswetter will continue leading the execution of the strategic direction of the revenue service while ensuring a smooth leadership transition,” the presidency said.
[ICYMI] President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the term of office for the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service Mr Edward Kieswetter, to two years. https://t.co/7BKxz7shaR pic.twitter.com/scZCIGMByx
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 27, 2024
According to TimesLIVE, the commissioner has been been credited with rescuing the institution after it was hollowed out during the state capture years under Tom Moyane.
Consulting firm, Bain & Company, ended up paying back some of the revenue for its botched restructuring of the tax agency, with interest amounting to R217 million. It is understood Kieswetter had quietly expressed his desire to leave SARS, but Ramaphosa moved to keep him in the role a bit longer.
In June last year, Kieswetter was elected chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which he is expected to lead until June this year, The Citizen said.
“Leadership is an inordinate responsibility and a rare privilege to assist international efforts to bring matters of Customs to the centre of international trade facilitation. This election is ample evidence that the leadership of Sars in matters of Customs is acknowledged after many years of state capture.” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
