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 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mompati Merafhe, who described the incident as horrifying, said the replacement of the jet should be a matter of serious consideration. However, the Press Secretary to the President, holds a different view. Ramsay said the problem was not that serious, it was just that airplanes were delicate. "Airplanes are delicate compared to cars. I can drive a car to Kasane with a crack in the window but I can't do that with an airplane," he said. Ramsay said nobody panicked, everybody was fine and they landed safely. "The plane has already been fixed but it will still need inspection," he said. He said Merafhe's sentiments were his personal views that did not reflect what the president felt. Meanwhile, the president of Botswana People's Party (BPP), Bernard Balikani said a thorough assessment is necessary before a new jet is bought. "If there is a need to change the jet then it should be changed," he said. He stated that it would be important to be cautious when dealing with the life of the highest authority in the country. "We can't take chances, this is our leader and it is embarrassing to hear that his aeroplane broke down in a foreign country," said Balikani. On the contrary, the president of Botswana Congress Party (BCP), Gilson Saleshando saw the incident as a warning from God. "Our President is always travelling and he hardly finds time to reach the nation, he should go to the people," he said. He further said it was inappropriate for the leader of the nation to "live in a suitcase". Saleshando said Mogae had a tendency of moving in the wrong directions all the time. Though he found it unnecessary to purchase a new aeroplane, he said it was an unfortunate situation because the government of the day does not really care about the view of the nation. "There is this legacy of impunity which I think should be dealt away with," he said. Botswana National Front (BNF) president, Otsweletse Moupo could not comment much on the issue, as he did not have sufficient information. He said it was premature to decide on whether or not to buy a new presidential jet. "It is important to wait until the investigations are over. " Another leader of opposition, Lepetu Setshwaelo of Botswana Alliance Movement said it was not for Merafhe to suggest that an aeroplane be bought, but rather the experts who understand the extent of the problem. "It's not for him to tell us to buy a plane, rather a relevant ministry with experts should be raising this, not the Minister of Foreign Affairs," he said. A Mochudi resident, Mary Mathapo concurred with the sentiments expressed by Moupo, and said that investigations should be carried out before purchasing a new aeroplane. "If the problem can be fixed, then it would not be necessary to buy a new aeroplane," she said. Tuduetso Molebatsi of Serowe said the plane had to be fixed. "We do not have enough money to buy a new plane, considering the stringent budget we have as a country," said Molebatsi. Teddy Aaron of Palapye differed with them, as he felt the president deserved the best, therefore a new plane for him was necessary. The aircraft's engine has a life- span of 25,000 hours but has already used 10,000 hours. In most cases, the purchase of presidential jets arouses outright criticism from the general public. When president Thabo Mbeki of South Africa purchased his presidential jet, which cost P180 million, there was a huge outcry. Some felt it was a serious display of luxury at a time when the government could not afford drugs. But the government insisted that Mbeki's hectic international schedule required an aircraft that could transport large delegations for long distances without refuelling. King Mswati of Swaziland received the same criticism when he purchased the P277m royal jet. Some viewed it as a ridiculous indulgence in luxury at a time when hundreds of thousands of Swazis were starving and the economy was close to collapse.
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