TIRI MASAWI
Members of Parliament are set to attend a workshop to learn how to use the brand-new iPhones and Samsung phones handed to them just weeks ago.
The government spent about N$4 million on high-end devices for MPs.
There are 146 members of parliament in total, 104 in the National Assembly and 42 in the National Council. Cabinet ministers were not included in the gadget handout.
Sources within the government told the Namibia Business Review that many MPs are struggling with the state-of-the-art devices.
“Most of them were advised to settle for Samsungs, which are easier to use, but they insisted on the latest iPhones. Some don’t even know how to operate them. Now the National Assembly has no choice but to organise a workshop to teach them,” the source said.
The most expensive phone provided was the iPhone 17 Pro Silver 1TB at N$40 199, while the cheapest iPhone 17 Pro Silver 256GB costs N$29 299 locally.
National Assembly spokesperson Sakeus Kadhikwa yesterday said he is still awaiting the Executive Director’s response to NBR’s questions.
Ironically, many of the MPs who are now struggling with their gadgets had criticised the same process when previous MPs of the Hage Geingob presidential tenure received theirs.
Former lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune weighed in, calling it a “big problem” for opposition credibility.
“You can’t say one thing before going to Parliament and then do something completely different when you get there. It shows a lack of principle. I would have expected them to reject the phones cause there was a lot of hullabaloo about the other phones in the 7th Parliament,” he said.
Political scientist Rui Tjitende criticised the purchase, saying no MP requires an expensive gadget to do their work.
“In fact, we need to ask who recommended that such wasteful expenditure should be incurred by taxpayers? Was it the MP’s themselves, or the bureaucrats of Parliament?,” Tjitende said.
He added, “This is the same Parliament that does not have adequate researchers to strengthen the quality of debates and the legislative process, but deems it appropriate to splurge millions on devices that will eventually end in the hands of their children, girlfriends and mistresses.”
Basic Income Grant Coalition of Namibia representative Alex Ujakwa Uapingene criticised the purchase of cellphones for MPs, calling it a misplaced priority. He also dismissed plans for the workshop.
“To start with, buying phones for these MPs is a waste of money. If you are buying an MP a phone that costs N$40 000, then every Namibian deserves an allowance,” Uapingene said.
He added that “Why would you need to do a workshop for people who failed to pass any bills the whole year? To even think that we want to have a workshop to teach them to use the phones is appalling.”
He continued: “We need to save all the money we have for the better. But if we are spending money like that, where exactly are we cutting this budget? What is so special about these MPs that they cannot read their documents on hard copy?.”
Political analyst Ndumba Kanmwanyah told Namibia Business Review that the situation raises some real concerns about how public money is being used.
“ If parliamentarians are receiving expensive iPhones but many of them cannot use the devices effectively, then the value for money becomes questionable. Buying high-end phones only makes sense if the users can actually take advantage of their full features. When they can’t, it means public funds are not being used efficiently,”
Kamwanya said a workshop to help MPs learn how to use the phones shows that there was a gap in planning from the start.
Ideally, Kamwanya said the level of digital skills should have been considered before the devices were purchased. He said training is good, but it also adds extra costs, and that contributes to the overall question of whether this was the best decision.
According to Kamwanya, MPs don’t necessarily need fancy iPhones to do their work.
“A reliable, moderate-priced smartphone with good security, strong battery life, and essential features should be enough for parliamentary communication and official duties. The focus should be on practicality, not luxury. Public expenditure should always reflect genuine needs, not preferences for top-end gadgets.”
Last week Swapo Deputy Secretary General Uahekua Herunga confirmed receiving his phone but said he has not used his and does not know how much it cost.
‘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.
Independent Patriots for Change Spokesperson and Official Opposition Leader in parliament Immanuel Nashinge told Namibia Business Review said 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.”
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.
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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