This content is from: South Africa
SARS appoints new commissioner
The South African government has appointed Edward Kieswetter as the head of its tax authority. Kieswetter faces the task of restoring public confidence in the revenue service.
Kieswetter takes over from acting commissioner Mark Kingon,
who has overseen the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for more than a year.
As part of taking on the role, Kieswetter has resigned from the board of
Shoprite, Africa’s biggest grocery chain.
An independent panel of policymakers selected Kieswetter for
his formidable expertise and his track record as deputy SARS commissioner and
chief tax officer. Others shortlisted for the role included Kingon himself,
Nathaniel Mabetwa, Sunita Manik, Gene Ravele and Nazrien Kader.
SARS has not had a commissioner since tax chief Tom Moyane
was suspended in March 2018. The new commissioner will have to rebuild trust in
the service and help the government overcome the fiscal shortfall the country
faces.