143 17.14 Independence of Auditor-General In the exercise of his or her functions the Auditor-General is independent and subject only to the law. 17.15 Remuneration of Auditor-General (1) An Act of Parliament must provide for the remuneration and benefits of the AuditorGeneral to be fixed with the approval of the President on the recommendation of the Minister responsible for finance. (2) The remuneration of the Auditor-General must be charged upon and paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund and must not be reduced during his or her tenure of office. 17.16 Removal of Auditor-General from office (1) The Auditor-General may be removed from office only for— (a) inability to perform the functions of his or her office because of mental or physical incapacity; (b) gross incompetence; or (c) gross misconduct. (2) If the Minister responsible for finance, with the concurrence of the parliamentary committee responsible for public accounts, informs the President that the question of removing the Auditor-General from office ought to be investigated, the President must appoint a tribunal to inquire into the matter. (3) A tribunal appointed under subsection (2) must consist of at least three members appointed by the President, of whom— (a) at least one must be a person who has served as a judge; and (b) at least one must be chosen from a panel of at least three persons who have been nominated by the institute or association established by law to represent public auditors in Zimbabwe. (4) The institute or association referred to in subsection (3)(b) must nominate the panel referred to in that subsection when called upon to do so by the President. (5) A tribunal appointed under subsection (2) must inquire into the question of removing the Auditor-General from office and, having done so, must report its findings to the President and recommend whether or not the Auditor-General should be removed, and if the tribunal so recommends the President must, by order under the public seal, remove the Auditor-General from office. (6) A tribunal appointed under this section has the same rights and powers as commissioners under the Commissions of Inquiry Act [Chapter 10:07], or any law that replaces that Act. 17.17 Staff of Auditor-General An Act of Parliament must provide for the appointment of a board to employ persons to assist the Auditor-General in the exercise of his or her functions, and must also provide for—