Five things to know about new Sars boss Edward Kieswetter

28 March 2019 - 11:51
By Odwa Mjo
Edward Kieswetter will take up the role of Sars commissioner from May.
Image: Simon Mathebula Edward Kieswetter will take up the role of Sars commissioner from May.

A year after South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Tom Moyane was suspended, Edward Kieswetter has been appointed as the new boss at the tax collector.

Kieswetter was appointed by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.

He was chosen from a group of six shortlisted candidates, including the current acting commissioner Mark Kingon. 

Here are five things you need to know about the new commissioner: 

Sars

Kieswetter is not new to the tax agency, he served as Sars deputy commissioner from 2004 to 2009.

Eskom 

He held the positions of senior general manager for generation and power station manager for eight years.

Engineering 

Kieswetter worked as an electronics engineering technician for the Cape Town municipality from 1977 to 1981.

Education

Kieswetter holds a diploma in electrical engineering from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in education majoring in engineering and mathematics education from the University of Cape Town.

Kieswetter obtained an honours degree in education from the University of the Western Cape as well as three master's degrees from North West University,  Henley Business School and UWC.

Board member  

Kieswetter is a non-executive director on several boards, including Shoprite, Transnet and GEMS Education Africa.