Godongwana says new SARS commissioner will be in office by May

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says a new South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner will be in office by 1 May.

This comes as Edward Kieswetter's term has come to an end, after seven years at the helm.

Godongwana was speaking at the last set of financial results under Kieswetter in Pretoria on Wednesday.

He sought to ease concerns of a possible leadership gap, saying there is no need for panic as the process is being properly handled.

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"The president has made the decision. Whoever is appointed, the only benefit I have is that I have on my desk a presidential note which tells me who's going to take the job from the 1st of May. It's not me. What is left now is for the president to make an announcement."

Godongwana has praised Kieswetter and thanked him for his role in rebuilding SARS.

Kieswetter took over the tax agency in the aftermath of state capture, tasked with stabilising and restoring the institution.

He's been widely lauded as a successful commissioner and credited with rebuilding SARS from state capture.

"For this patriotic act, thank you, commissioner, and those of us who are witnesses to what kind of SARS you inherited, you have done a tremendous job."