De Jager, Herman2008-02-152008-02-152006De Jager, H 2006/7, 'The Auditor-General', Auditing SA, pp. 3-4. [http://www.saiga.co.za/publications-auditingsa.htm]1028-9003http://hdl.handle.net/2263/4524Mr Shauket Fakie, South Africa's outgoing Auditor-General, ended his seven year appointment in November 2006. In order to preserve and enhance the independence of the Auditor-General, the essence of the external audit function, the appointment is for a single term of seven years. An independent Auditor-General is widely considered as one of the defining characteristics of a democracy. For foreign investors, as well as for general business confidence within a country, the independence of the Auditor-General is of great value.449498 bytesapplication/pdfenSouthern African Institute of Government AuditorsAuditor-GeneralDemocracyIndependence of the Auditor-GeneralPublic sector auditingAuditingArticle