Opposition MPs have expressed concern at statements made by President Festus Mogae at a ruling party Women's Wing dinner in Serowe over the weekend. Mogae said in Serowe that the MPs wanted to hold government at ransom by demanding that they can only pass the Judges Bill if their salaries are reviewed. The sole Botswana Congress Party (BCP) MP, Dumelang Saleshando said the President owes it to the nation to explain where he got the idea that MPs wanted their salaries reviewed before that of the judges. "I am actually baffled and do not understand what could have prompted him to say that. I do not remember any forum where the MPs discussed their salaries, not even at all party caucus did we discuss our salaries. He owes it to the nation to explain where he got that information," Saleshando said.
The Gaborone Central MP stated that the President is an MP and so has a right to debate issues or even call a caucus if he has something he wants to straighten up with his colleagues. "I think sometimes he has a problem with the approach of the MPs but he does not know how to deal with it and that is why he chooses to go on national TV addressing such issues," he said referring to the time when the President was consulting the nation on the proposed Liquor Act.
