For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: Finance Minister tips Sars Deputy as new head; DA says Nersa to appear before Parly electricity committee over tariff error; And, ActionSA demands Joburg mayor suspend MMC

Finance Minister tips Sars Deputy as new head

South Africa’s finance minister favours Johnstone Makhubu to take over as commissioner of the nation’s tax agency, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The support makes Makhubu a strong contender to replace Edward Kieswetter as the head of the South African Revenue Service when he steps down, said the person who asked not to be identified as discussions about the succession plan aren’t public.

Makhubu has been deputy commissioner of taxpayer engagement at Sars since 2023, when he was appointed along with two other deputies.

Kieswetter is due to step down as commissioner in April. Appointed in May 2019, his five-year term was extended by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024 for two years as an interim measure to ensure a “smooth leadership transition,” the presidency said at the time.

Kieswetter has asked Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for an early release from his current contract, and the position will be formally advertised in the coming weeks, the person said. Godongwana will make his recommendation to Ramaphosa at the end of that process.

DA says Nersa to appear before Parly electricity committee over tariff error

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa will appear before Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Energy and Electricity on Wednesday, over the R54-billion error made in its recent Eskom tariff determination.

The Democratic Alliance took credit for the development, citing its intervention and formal demand to Parliament.

On Monday, the party wrote to Nersa chairperson Thembani Bukula demanding public accountability and answers. Last week, it formally requested Portfolio Committee on Energy and Electricity chairperson Nonkosi Queenie Mvana to urgently convene an inquiry into Nersa’s internal processes and its fitness to regulate the country’s energy sector.

Nersa agreed to a court order that Eskom can collect an extra R54-billion in tariffs over the next few years, as a result of errors made by the regulator in its sixth multiyear price determination revenue decision.

The DA said the summons was a crucial first step in holding the regulator to account in public.

And, ActionSA demands Joburg mayor suspend MMC

ActionSA has written to Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero insisting that he suspend Group Corporate and Shared Services MMC Sithembiso Zungu, following revelations by the Hawks that Zungu had unduly benefited from CityDev, a company involved in a housing development project in Lehae.

It has been alleged that Zungu received funds from CityDev director Bernard Stegmann, deposited into his personal bank account through a company called CityDev Construction, which is involved in housing development projects.

Last month, Zungu was appointed Group Corporate and Shared Services MMC by Morero, with ActionSA expressing concern that despite the existence of a prima facie case of corruption and extortion against Zungu, Morero proceeded with his appointment.

ActionSA is demanding the immediate suspension of Zungu, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The party pointed out that Morero had previously set a precedent by removing Kabelo Gwamanda from his role as Community Development MMC when he faced similar criminal allegations.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

Don’t forget to follow us on the X platform, at the handle @PolityZA