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Raymond Majongwe

Felex Share Senior Reporter
Successive endorsements of President Mugabe’s popularity by reputable research institutions are a reflection of the trust he has cultivated in the people through his work and deeds, analysts have said.

The faith the populace has in President Mugabe and Zanu-PF, they said, testified to the onerous task the opposition has in trying to end Zanu-PF’s dominance on the political scene.

Several think-tanks and pollsters have consistently revealed that Zimbabweans have faith in President Mugabe and Zanu-PF with the latest Mass Public Opinion Institute survey released on Wednesday declaring that even if elections were to be held today, the revolutionary party would resoundingly romp to victory.

The MPOI survey was independently conducted among Zimbabweans in the country’s 10 provinces and found out that the majority of adult Zimbabweans have the highest regard for President Mugabe.

President Mugabe scored high in critical areas including: hard-working (71 percent), qualified to govern (63 percent), honest (60 percent), peace-loving (72 percent) and care for the people (64 percent).

Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary general, Mr Raymond Majongwe said President Mugabe had made “an investment” in terms of building the confidence of the people.

“Everything coming out in the surveys is a product of his track record,” he said.

“Yes, the country might go through trials and tribulations in as far as the economy is concerned but Mugabe will not become unpopular because of that because he is also a victim of those challenges. He will not lose popularity because a lot of people are a direct beneficiary of his leadership and hard stances.”

Mr Majongwe added: “(President) Mugabe has planted a seed and that seed is being seen all over. The opposition should know that if you want to be a leader, you have to make a real investment and sacrifice.”

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Lawyer Mr Terence Hussein said the surveys confirm that President Mugabe has managed to outclass his opponents through his pro-people deeds.

“The poll is testament to the mood prevailing in the country. President Mugabe has been working hard and managed to convince the masses of his ability to lead the country.

“His opponents like disgraced Dr Joice Mujuru and Mr Morgan Tsvangirai have not done anything on the ground but they think the people will blindly choose them while seated on their backs,” said Mr Hussein.

He added that Dr Mujuru and Mr Tsvangirai just rely on media support when they are not doing any work for the people.

Political analyst Mr Alexander Rusero said considering that the latest research was conducted by a critic of President Mugabe, it was an indication to opposition forces that President Mugabe’s popularity was a reality.

Another political analyst, Mr Goodwine Mureriwa said the latest survey simply vindicated the 2013 harmonised elections, showing that the polls were not rigged as alleged by opposition parties.

“President Mugabe’s support base has been growing exponentially as evidenced by the by-elections where Zanu-PF is sweeping everything,” he said.

“It shows that the protest vote that gave birth to the MDC-T has lost momentum and people have realised that Zanu-PF has policies that are tangible.”

The MPOI survey came barely two months after another one by Afrobarometer, a Ghana-based think tank, confirming that President Mugabe was voted into power due to his performance.

Several key opposition figures are on record saying no opposition party has the capacity to dethrone Zanu-PF on its own.

In the MPOI survey, MDC-T leader Mr Tsvangirai, as usual played second fiddle to President Mugabe, coming second and received below majority ratings on all the key areas.

Former Vice President Joice Mujuru is in third position followed by People’s Democratic Party leader Mr Tendai Biti. Other opposition leaders Dr Simba Makoni, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, Mr Elton Mangoma, Professors Welshman Ncube and Lovemore Madhuku scored little marks in all the areas.