The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
About 85 percent of Zimbabweans approve of President Mugabe’s policy orientation and leadership, while 68 percent have confidence in Zanu-PF’s governance style, a public opinion survey by the Zimbabwe Global Initiative (ZGI) reveals.And Vice-President Mujuru added to this yesterday saying the nation should be grateful for God-sent leaders like President Mugabe who had ensured peace and created abundant life-transforming opportunities for the majority.
According to ZGI’s nationwide poll, 85 percent of respondents, when asked who they would vote for if national elections were called now, picked President Mugabe.
Only 11 percent went with opposition MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai.
Another 2 percent said they would vote for “any other candidate” while 4 percent abstained.
The survey said after polling over 60 percent of the vote in the July 2013 plebiscite, President Muagbe’s support had surged on the back of that victory and ascension to Sadc Chair.
In addition, 71 percent of respondents were convinced “the future of opposition parties in Zimbabwe was doomed”, while 68 percent expressed confidence in Zanu-PF.
Just 9 percent threw their weight behind the MDC-T and 3 percent opted for “other parties”.
Twenty percent said they were undecided.
The survey said 60 percent of young Zimbabweans were concerned about unemployment; with 5 percent apportioning the blame for this on the President and an overwhelming 95 percent citing illegal Western economic sanctions imposed following the land reforms.
Many respondents were optimistic, though, that the economy would gradually improve.
The survey covered Zimbabweans between the ages of 18 and 65.
ZGI is an initiative run by Zimbabwean youths.
Meanwhile, VP Mujuru told St John Apostolic Church members at their annual meeting in Mhondoro yesterday that President Mugabe was God-sent.
She said: “We should know that leaders are appointed by God. If God did not want it to be, President Mugabe would not be our leader. But it is God’s will that he is our leader. It is only God who knows how many years President Mugabe will lead us. Zvakarongwa naMusiki saka isu hatingazvirambi. (It is the Creator’s plan and we will not oppose that.)
“We have to be grateful that we have a leader in the mould of President Mugabe. He led us in the armed struggle which won us our Independence that we enjoy today.
“We have peace which is not enjoyed by other countries. So, we owe our peace to President Mugabe.”
