Constitution_Of_Botswana.TXT (i) circumstances arise (other than a dissolution of the Assembly) that, if he or she were such a Member, would cause him or her to vacate his or her seat in the Assembly; or (ii) he or she does not become a Member of the Assembly; (c) if the holder of the office is removed from office by the President; (d) upon the assumption by any person of the office of President. [Ch0000s44] 44. Cabinet (1) There shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, Vice-President and the Ministers. (2) There shall preside at meetings of the Cabinet(a) the President; (b) in the absence of the President, the Vice-President; or (c) in the absence of the President and the Vice-President, such Minister as the President may designate. (3) The Cabinet may act notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership. [Ch0000s45] 45. Oaths to be taken by Ministers and Assistant Ministers The Vice-President, a Minister or an Assistant Minister shall not enter upon the duties of his or her office unless he or she has taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and such oath for the due execution of his or her office as may be prescribed by Parliament. [Ch0000s46] 46. Secretary to the Cabinet (1) There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet whose office shall be a public office. (2) The Secretary to the Cabinet shall have charge of the Cabinet Office and shall be responsible, in accordance with such instructions as may be given to him or her by the President, for arranging the business for, and keeping the minutes of, the Cabinet, for conveying decisions of the Cabinet to the appropriate person or authority, and shall have such other functions as the President may from time to time direct. PART III Executive Functions (ss 47-56) [Ch0000s47] 47. Functions of President (1) The executive power of Botswana shall vest in the President and, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, shall be exercised by him or her either directly or through officers subordinate to him or her. (2) In the exercise of any function conferred upon him or her by this Constitution or any other law the President shall, unless it is otherwise provided, act in his or her own deliberate judgment and shall not be obliged to follow the advice tendered by any other person or authority. (3) Nothing in this section shall prevent Parliament from conferring functions on persons or authorities other than the President. [Ch0000s48] 48. Command of armed forces (1) The supreme command of the armed forces of the Republic shall vest in the President and he or she shall hold the office of Commander in Chief. (2) The powers conferred on the President by subsection (1) of this section shall include(a) the power to determine the operational use of the armed forces; (b) the power to appoint members of the armed forces, to make appointments on promotion to any office in the armed forces and to dismiss any member of the armed forces. (3) The President may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he or she may think fit, delegate to any member of the armed forces any of the powers mentioned in subsection (2) of this section. (4) Parliament may regulate the exercise of the powers conferred by or under this section. [Ch0000s49] 49. Functions of Vice-President The Vice-President shall be the principal assistant of the President in the discharge of his or her executive functions and shall be responsible, under the directions of the President, for such business of the government of Botswana (including the administration of any department of Government) as the President may assign to him or her. [Ch0000s50] 50. Functions of Cabinet Ministers and Assistant Ministers (1) The Cabinet shall be responsible for advising the President with respect Page 20