Zimbabwe's Mugabe 'still popular': Survey
However, respondents also say they do not feel free to criticize 91-year-old ruler
By John Cassim
HARARE, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is trusted to such an extent that if a presidential election were to be held today he would win resoundingly, results of an opinion poll have revealed.
Data from the Mass Public Opinion Institute July survey, released Wednesday, claim that “President Mugabe is trusted by the majority of the adult population”.
However, other poll findings show respondents believe people are not free to criticize the country’s leader.
Although Mugabe is 91 years old, frail and still set to run in the 2018 presidential election, the Zimbabwean leader scored the highest in terms of: qualifications to govern; hard work; honesty; "peace loving"; and "care for the people".
The survey further stated “almost half of the adult Zimbabweans say they would vote for Mugabe and ZANU-PF if a presidential election were to be conducted tomorrow.”
Ironically, the MPOI research revealed that 67% of adult Zimbabweans feel the country is going in the wrong direction, considering many are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
“Another overwhelming majority says they are not very or not at all free to criticize the president,” Stephen Ndoma, MPOI principal researcher said.
The survey shows signs of declining public faith in the present economic condition, with the majority believing the status quo would worsen.
Analyst Fortune Gwaze said: “The majority of Zimbabwean adults are glued to Mugabe for economic benefits through the empowerment drive.”
MPOI said questions were asked randomly to 1,200 adults countrywide.
