TIRI MASAWI
The government has spent about N$4 million to provide members of parliament with high-end iPhones and Samsung phones.
There are 142 members of parliament in total, 104 in the National Assembly and 42 in the National Council. Cabinet ministers, however, are excluded from receiving these “nice-to-have” gadget devices.
The most expensive device purchased is the iPhone 17 Pro Silver 1TB, priced at N$40,199, while the cheapest iPhone is the 17 Pro Silver 256GB that costs N$29,299 at a local shop in Namibia.
The Namibia Business Review understands that the total cost to procure the phones was about N$4 million.
The move has drawn criticism from political parties and analysts, who described it as a “misplaced priority” and a “waste of taxpayers’ money.”
The Namibia Business Review understands that plans are also underway to pamper the lawmakers with high end market laptops.
The gadgets are meant to assist parliamentarians to carry out their duties.
The decision to pamper parliamentarians comes just as Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah announced a midterm budget reshuffle to redirect funds to ministries struggling with shortfalls.
National Assembly Spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa promised to respond this week. Some MPs have already received their phones.
Swapo Deputy Secretary General Uahekua Herunga confirmed receiving his iphone last week and defended the decision to acquire the gadgets as a necessary step towards improving efficiency of the parliamentarians.
‘My simple answer is to answer you with a question. If teachers need books to be able to do their job, should they be asked to buy these books themselves?” Hrunga said.
Herunga said the members of parliament deserve the phones as long as they are acquired within the budget framework.
“I received my phone but I don’t even know anything about phones so I do not know the price of these devices. In any case, I still have it in my pocket and I have not opened it. I am still on my old device,” he said.
The Swapo parliamentarian added that, “If parliamentarians get phones I do not see anything wrong with it. But the issue of the price of these phones I can only talk to you when I know a bit about it because they gave me a phone and it did not have a price tag.”
Independent Patriots for Change Spokesperson and Official Opposition Leader in parliament Immanuel Nashinge told Namibia Business Review on Friday that there is nothing amiss about the expenditure.
Nashinge said the MPs need to be supported with the correct tools of trade to dispatch their duties.
“These are tools of trade and are necessary for parliamentarians to carry out their duties. I have not yet received an iphone because I have mine,” he said.
He added “It is important for members of parliament to have the adequate tools to do their work. Sometimes documents are shared on telegram and most parliamentarians might not even have access to these platforms.”
Nashinge said most parliamentarians do not enjoy heavy perks like other civil servants and might not afford to buy such devices with their own salaries.
“ I think there should also be provision for laptops for members so they can be able to carry out their work. The salaries for members of parliament are not really high to cater for some of these things,” he said.
He added“I think there is also a need to relook at even basics like airtime that members used to receive. In the past, we used to receive N$75 airtime and that does not really do much. At least four MTC Super Aweh per month will be enough.”
WASTE OF TAX PAYERS MONEY
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) Spokesperson Lifalaza Simataa said their party has taken a stance not to take the free iPhones from parliament.
He said the money is better used for other pressing needs.
“When it comes to the devices that have been given to parliament, LPM retains the stunt that was taken by our leader Bernadus Swartbooi last year that these devices are not a good use of public money. So we will not be taking these cellphones and we do not need them. The funds can be better used somewhere,” he said.
PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES
Analyst Ndumba Kamwanya said there should be a clear distinction on how the received iPhones and the expected laptops will assist parliamentarians.
“The question of whether new phones and soon-to-arrive laptops should be a priority depends on how they are meant to support the work of parliamentarians,” he said.
Kamwanya said many people may feel that, given the country’s current social and economic pressures, spending on such devices does not look essential.
“When communities are facing challenges like unemployment, rising living costs, or shortages in basic services, buying high-end gadgets for leaders can easily be seen as elitism and unnecessary,” he said.
Kamwanya said it is a delicate balancing act to cater for public expectations and the need to assist parliamentarians.
“Phones and laptops can help them respond to constituents, attend virtual meetings, read documents, and prepare for debates. The key issue is whether the devices are reasonably priced, whether they genuinely improve their work, and whether the timing makes sense considering other urgent national needs,” he said.
Kamwanya said citizens expect the government to balance that need with careful, transparent spending and clear explanations about why these gadgets are required right now.
‘THEY MUST BUY THEIR OWN PHONES’
Analyst Herbert Jauch said the parliamentarians are sufficiently paid to buy cell phones for themselves.
“… Considering that our parliamentarians are well paid compared to the vast majority of Namibians, MPs should therefore be able to buy their own phones and computers.” Jauch said.
Jauch said buying these gadgets sends a message that MPs continue enjoying their benefits to the full while most Namibians are suffering.
“Healthcare, education and housing, for example, are amongst the priority sectors which are underfunded and MPs should declare a moratorium on their benefits as a sign of social solidarity.”
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