The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors is an association established in terms of its Constitution. The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors was founded on the 27th of July 1988.

SAIGA is registered as a Non-Profit Organisation in terms of the Non profit Organisations Act (Act 71 of 1997) with the Department of Social Development. SAIGA is also recognised as a professional body by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for the purposes of the National Qualifications Framework Act, Act 67 of 2008.