MDC-T stunned by the 'Change and 'New' Politics in Zim - Survey Report 2012'
2012 August 22 18:18:41 | 3498 Views
- Ingabe ikuphatheleni i-MDC, njalo kusizani ukuyivotela? | 2013 May 13 17:03:55 | 3186 views
- Ikuphatheleni iMDC, kusiza ngani ukuyivotela? | 2013 May 08 19:28:47 | 2914 views
- MDC-T on course | 2013 March 27 14:05:12 | 6836 views
- People will vote for a party with sustainable economic programmes | 2013 March 04 02:36:52 | 7652 views
- Introducing: Election (2013) campaign articles | 2013 March 02 11:08:41 | 6168 views
Most Viewed
- Prophet Uebert Angel upsets T.B Joshua's followers | 2013 February 24 10:20:20 | 41391 views
- Prophet T.B. Joshua's prophecies for 2013 | 2013 January 01 12:26:15 | 21468 views
- Obama's wife is a Zimbabwean! | 2013 April 01 12:51:57 | 20814 views
- 'If anyone was defending Nkomo, it was I. I was the last to leave Zapu,' says Mugabe | 2013 February 19 15:02:19 | 11462 views
- Mpofu and SK Moyo up for Presidency | 2013 January 17 16:37:36 | 11158 views
In its reponse the MDC-T issued a press statement. We will publish it as is with no alteratiuons.
The MDC reasserts that it is still the most popular party within Zimbabwe. That it has had a positive impact on the lives of the people of Zimbabwe since it formed the Inclusive Government can never be doubted.
The party respects the right of individuals and institutions to carry out opinion surveys on the views of the people of Zimbabwe from time to time. However, we note that surveys carried out under current conditions are difficult to rely on due to the fact that they are held under conditions of major fluidity.
We have read with interest the report by the Freedom House on its research on the public opinion of the people of Zimbabwe.
Given the margin of terror acknowledged in the report it is difficult to rely entirely on this report to gauge the opinion of the people of Zimbabwe on their political choices. We note that a lot of people interviewed refused to disclose their political preferences. This is obviously for fear of intimidation and the violence they have been subjected to by Zanu-PF and its military junta. This margin of terror fundamentally impugns the conclusion that can be derived from this report.
The report is allegedly based on the sample of 1198 drawn from rural and urban areas with the majority being from rural areas. Regrettably the report does not distinguish between people in communal lands and people who were settled on commercial farms.
It is a known fact that during the land reform program Zanu-PF parceled out agricultural land only to its supporters. Therefore most people in the resettlement areas are Zanu-PF supporters. Without making that crucial distinction it is difficult to rely on information that may have been gathered in predominantly Zanu-PF areas to gauge the support of other political parties.
Although most rural areas do not have reception for ZBC radio and largely rely on Radio VOP and Studio 7 for news, the report suggests that the majority of Zimbabweans listen to ZBC radio. However conditions on the ground shows that even Zanu-PF has now turned to studio 7 as evidenced by the incessant use of this radio by the Zanu-PF officials especially its spokespersons.
It is an undeniable fact that most rural dwellers have no access to television whilst most urban dwellers have resorted to DSTV. A cursory glance at the Mbare hostels alone would just show the number of satellite dishes populating the flats. This is clear testimony of the unpopularity of the ZBC TV. It is therefore difficult to accept the assertion in the report that the ZBC TV as the most popular television channel for Zimbabweans.
Zimbabweans generally regard the Herald as the propaganda mouthpiece of Zanu-PF that is largely unreliable. However, the report portrays the Herald as the most popular newspaper on the land. This is difficult to accept. Most Zimbabweans in the Diaspora read the local newspapers online. It is however, difficult to accept the assertion that the Herald is the most popular newspaper for Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
We respectfully do not accept the conclusion that Zimbabweans have suddenly developed more confidence and trust in the army, police and in the Central Intelligence Organisation. It is a well known fact that very few Zimbabweans including those in Zanu-PF thrust the securocrats in general an the CIO in particular.
Given the level of injustice, partisanship and corruption in our judiciary system it is difficult to accept that Zimbabweans have suddenly developed trust in the Zimbabwean courts.
Again, given the level of selective application of the law, partisanship and unprofessionalism on the part of the Attorney General, we respectfully disagree with the assertion that the people of Zimbabwe have suddenly developed deep trust for the Attorney General.
The report correctly finds out that Zimbabweans have been subjected to intimidation and violence. However the report does not acknowledge the effect of this intimidation and violence on the way the people responded to the questions put to them by the researchers. It is important to note that a large number of Zimbabweans interviewed by the researchers refused to disclose their political affiliation. This is clear evidence of the level of intimidation they have been subjected to.
We note however, that the report correctly captures the fundamental demand for change by the people of Zimbabwe. Further, it correctly captures that Zimbabweans view unemployment as their number one problem. To that end, it vindicates the MDC's thrust and push towards creation of more jobs for the people of Zimbabwe.
While professional people may have carried out this research, the conditions under which the research was carried were not conducive for Zimbabweans to freely express their political preferences. However, regarding those issues to which Zimbabweans could respond without disclosing their political affiliation or attracting the wrath of the securocrats, the report correctly captured their sentiments.
Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
Source: Byo24News
Comments
News Updates
Latest News
ZUJ organising safety training for Zimbabwean reporters - The Zimbabw...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 7 ViewsThe Benjani Mwaruwari under 16 Youth Festival reaches last eight - The...
by Mkhululi Mthunzi | 2013 May 25 | 36 ViewsZimbabwe Warriors hold Malawi in an international friendly - Malawi 1...
by Sports reporter | 2013 May 25 | 138 ViewsTsvangirai dismiss claims he was snubbed by AU - PRIME Minister Morgan...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 202 ViewsLate CIO declared a national hero - The late Zanu-PF Central Committee...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 358 ViewsEric Knight wins Mbare primary election - FORMER ZBC radio presente...
by Ndou Paul | 2013 May 25 | 534 Views
Barcelona to sign Neymar - Barcelona have secured a deal to sign Santo...
by Sports Reporter | 2013 May 25 | 435 Views
Jericho voted 'The Real Africa Advertising Agency of the Year 2013'
by Own correspondent | 2013 May 25 | 350 ViewsDynamos beat Motor Action to go second on the PSL log standing - TODA...
by Moyo Roy | 2013 May 25 | 1272 ViewsMan of God promises to deliver Zimbabwe - Prior to the March 29, 2008...
by Sydney Kawadza | 2013 May 25 | 1790 ViewsNew Constitution: Denying themselves a key verb of politics - As expe...
by Nathaniel Manheru | 2013 May 25 | 614 ViewsZimbabwean researcher wins Stockholm Water Prize - STOCKHOLM - Zimbab...
by Sapa-Dpa | 2013 May 25 | 466 ViewsMan produces baby health card as paternity proof - A Mutare man on T...
by Post Reporter | 2013 May 25 | 763 ViewsHit and run driver kills teenage vendor - CHIPINGE police have launche...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 522 ViewsKombi accident kills 5 - FIVE people were killed - four of them on th...
by Post Reporter | 2013 May 25 | 838 ViewsDembare bus creates fissures at the club - The Dynamos leadership is ...
by Sports reporter | 2013 May 25 | 1136 ViewsNational Foods OK Grand Challenge Promotion 2013 - National Foods...
by OK Zimbabwe | 2013 May 25 | 300 ViewsMan catches teenage boy raping his daughter - A father of a three-year...
by Court reporter | 2013 May 25 | 756 ViewsOK Supermarket Wynne Street branch opening - video - The OK supermarke...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 555 ViewsMugabe concede poll date defeat - PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 1796 ViewsZimbabwean defender ready to dump Zimbabwe for Zambia - A Zimbabwean d...
by Sports reporter | 2013 May 25 | 1597 ViewsTsvangirai's ally acquitted on charges of insulting Mugabe - Energy Mi...
by VOA | 2013 May 25 | 485 ViewsZimbabwe could lose access to global payments platforms - Central bank...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 25 | 451 Views
Blogs
Man of God promises to deliver Zimbabwe - Prior to the March 29, 2008...
by Sydney Kawadza | 2013 May 25 | 1790 ViewsWhy Tsvangirai dislikes China Vice Premier Wang Yang's visit - The off...
by The Herald editorial | 2013 May 25 | 838 ViewsNew Constitution: Denying themselves a key verb of politics - As expe...
by Nathaniel Manheru | 2013 May 25 | 614 ViewsIMPORTANT Voter & Citizenship Info for Zimbabwe-born residents with SA...
by Staff reporter | 2013 May 09 | 4911 ViewsBosso - Dembare match overview by Alois Bunjira - Unedited Facebook P...
by Moyo Roy | 2013 April 23 | 3156 Views
