Global think-tank predicts 53% poll victory for Chamisa
By Editor
JOHANNESBURG based global think –tank, Brenthurst Foundation’s research has predicted a 53% poll victory for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) president, Nelson Chamisa amid revelations that he has strong qualities than any other contestant in the forthcoming 2023 polls.
Established in August 2003 by the Oppenheimer family in pursuit of ways to revamp the Africa continent’s development needs, the foundation’s operations are premised on three areas which are: encouraging key decision-makers and experts to share experiences and insights at private meetings and seminars; delivering relevant, practical policy advice to governments; and generating new thinking and thought-leadership to address Africa’s development challenges.
The institution’s latest survey conducted on its behalf by the London-based SABI Strategy Group, which is not affiliated with a Zimbabwean party shows that voters will throw their full weight behind the opposition leader.
“The survey, conducted in January using an in-depth 15-minute questionnaire, shows Chamisa would win 53% of the vote to Mnangagwa’s 40% among those who say they will definitely vote.
“The result is more evidence of the sliding dominance of “liberation” parties as economic growth in the region lags behind the rest of the developing world — and much of Africa,” said the survey.
The research notes that while switching support in substantial numbers away from Zanu-PF, many voters expressed concern about whether the election would be free and fair, Some 47% of voters believe the 2023 election will not be free and fair compared with just 38% who say it will be.
“Cheating in the counting process” was cited as the biggest threat to a free and fair election (41%), with “the government abusing its power” cited by 29% and “security force violence” cited by 21%.
The survey also showed that Chamisa’s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party is set to win the parliamentary election, outperforming Zanu-PF, which has held power for 43 years since independence in 1980.
About 42% of survey respondents said they had voted for Zanu-PF in 2018, with 40% saying they had voted for the CCC’s predecessor, the MDC Alliance, suggesting a sea change in voter sentiment as Zimbabwe’s economic collapse accelerates under Mnangagwa.
Asked why they were shifting their support, voters cited weak leadership, corruption, bad policies and future prospects as the main reasons.
Chamisa emerged as the public figure with the highest favourability score, of 59%, while Mnangagwa trailed with 43%, narrowly ahead of CCC MP and former MDC finance minister Tendai Biti.
When it came to political parties, the CCC enjoyed a net favourability (subtracting negative ratings from positive ratings) of 31%, way ahead of Zanu-PF’s -4%.
More voters believed the CCC would govern more effectively, with 47% favouring the opposition party as against 33% favouring Zanu-PF.
