Response to the 2014 Budget :: Mmegi Online

I take this opportunity to respond to the last budget speech in the run up to the 2014 general election and in my capacity as the leader of the opposition. I wish to congratulate the recently elected Member of Parliament for Francistown West, Dr Habaudi Njiro Hobona. Her win is significant because she is the first woman from within opposition ranks to have been elected to this august house and I have no doubt that she will add considerable value to the debates in this house.

Unfortunately, the swearing in of Dr Habaudi Hobona was deliberately boycotted by the President of the republic, who had in the past ensured that he was present in the House when members who had won by-elections took their oath, starting with Tshekedi Khama in 2008, followed by Fidelis Molao in 2010, Bernard Bolele in 2012 and Ngaka Ngaka last year. When Parliament convened at 2pm on February 3, President Khama was within the parliamentary buildings. He chose not to be in the House but to rather sit in the Speakers office and listen to proceedings from there and only entered Parliament after Hobona had taken her oath, an act of utmost political intolerance by the most senior citizen.

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