On 14 December 2018, the Finance Minister announced the re-appointment of the Acting Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (Sars) for a further 90 days beginning on 13 December 2018, or until such date as a new Sars Commissioner is appointed by the President. Section 7 of the Sars Act empowers the Minister of Finance to appoint an acting commissioner. The President, however, appoints a permanent commissioner.
Following the judgement of the High Court (Gauteng Division) of 11 December in TS Moyane versus the President and Others, the Finance Minister will assist the President in immediately commencing the process to appoint a new Commissioner of Sars.
An advertisement for the position will be published this weekend. The Finance Minister will subsequently submit a shortlist, and the names for members of an interview panel, for the President’s approval. After interviews, which are envisaged to be private in nature, the interview panel will recommend a candidate, or candidates, to the President.