Zimbabweans endorse government's COVID-19 response but voice concerns about corruption and lack of assistance
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Dispatch No. 458 | 17 June 2021 Zimbabweans endorse government’s COVID-19 response but voice concerns about corruption and lack of assistance Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 458 | Stephen Ndoma, Simangele Moyo-Nyede, and Jonathan Kugarakuripi Summary Zimbabwe has not been spared the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 16 June 2021, the country had recorded 40,077 confirmed cases and 1,635 deaths of COVID-19 (World Health Organization, 2021). Lockdowns have threatened many households with destitution and hunger (News24, 2021). The government pre-emptively declared COVID-19 a national disaster on 17 March 2020, three days before the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed, and a week later closed schools until phased reopenings starting in September (Mukeredzi, 2020). A nationwide lockdown in March-April 2020 was followed by slightly relaxed sets of restrictions, then reimposed in January 2021 after a surge in COVID-19 cases. About 1,107,000 vaccine doses have been administered in the country (World Health Organization, 2021). Enforcement of lockdown restrictions has been harsh, marked by arrests of suspected violators and accusations of human-rights abuses by members of the country’s military and police (Zimbabwe Peace Project, 2021; Amnesty International, 2020). A new Afrobarometer survey shows that even though almost half of Zimbabweans say their household lost a primary source of income during the pandemic, most citizens approve of the government’s overall management of the pandemic. Most Zimbabweans endorse lockdowns and school closures as painful but necessary. But very few report receiving pandemic-related assistance from the government, and a majority believe that COVID-19 resources were lost to government corruption. A majority doubt the government’s ability to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and fewer than half say they are likely to try to get vaccinated. Afrobarometer surveys Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on African experiences and evaluations of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Seven rounds of surveys were conducted in up to 38 countries between 1999 and 2018. Round 8 surveys (2019/2021) cover 34 countries. Afrobarometer conducts face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondent’s choice. The Afrobarometer team in Zimbabwe, led by the Mass Public Opinion Institute (MPOI), interviewed 1,200 adult citizens of Zimbabwe in April 2021. A sample of this size yields country- level results with a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Previous standard Afrobarometer surveys were conducted in Zimbabwe in 1999, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2012, 2014, and 2017. Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 1
Key findings
▪ Almost seven out of 10 adult Zimbabweans (68%) consider themselves “somewhat” or
“very” well informed” about COVID-19 and efforts to fight it.
▪ About one in 10 (8%) say someone in their household became ill with COVID-19, and
almost half (47%) say a household member lost a job, business, or primary source of
income due to COVID-19.
▪ Even though more than three-fourths (77%) of citizens say it was difficult to comply
with lockdown/curfew restrictions, most Zimbabweans (81%) support the restrictions as
necessary.
▪ The same majority (81%) agree with the government’s decision to close the schools,
although most (85%) say they should have reopened sooner.
▪ Only one in 10 (10%) say their household received pandemic-related assistance from
the government, and a plurality (48%) of citizens say such assistance was distributed
unfairly.
▪ More than eight in 10 Zimbabweans approve of the government’s performance in
managing the pandemic (81%) and keeping the public informed (84%). But a
majority (54%) believe that “some” or “a lot” of the resources available for responding
to the pandemic were lost to government corruption.
▪ Only four in 10 (42%) trust the government to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe,
and only about half (47%) say they are likely to try to get vaccinated.
▪ Almost three-fourths (72%) of Zimbabweans say the government is justified in using the
police or military to enforce public health mandates during a health emergency. But
only 43% say a pandemic justifies censorship of the media.
o And a majority (55%) say they are worried that politicians are using or will use the
pandemic as an opportunity to increase their power and authority.
Awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic
Almost seven out of 10 Zimbabweans (68%) consider themselves “somewhat well informed”
or “very well informed” about COVID-19 and efforts to combat it, leaving about one-third
who say they are “not very well informed” (24%) or “not at all informed” (8%) about the
pandemic (Figure 1).
Urban residents (80%) are significantly more likely than rural residents (61%) to say they are
well informed about COVID-19, as are men (72%) compared to women (64%) (Figure 2).
Awareness of the pandemic is less common among older citizens (52% of those aged 56 and
older).
The data suggest a positive relationship between education and awareness of COVID-19;
respondents with post-secondary education are almost twice as likely to know about the
pandemic as those with less than secondary schooling (88% vs. 45%). Geographically, Most
Harare residents (84%) report being aware of the pandemic, but the same is true of only
about half of those in Midlands (49%) and Bulawayo/Matabeleland North/Matabeleland
South (52%).
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 2Figure 1: Awareness of COVID-19 | Zimbabwe | 2021
100%
80%
60% 49%
40% 24%
19%
20% 8%
0%
Very well informed Somewhat well Not very well Not at all informed
informed informed
Respondents were asked: How well informed would you say you are about the coronavirus or the COVID-
19 pandemic, and efforts to combat it?
Figure 2: Aware of COVID-19 | by socio-demographic group | Zimbabwe | 2021
Harare 84%
Masvingo 77%
Mashonaland East 71%
Manicaland 70%
Mashonaland Central 69%
Mashonaland West 67%
Bulawayo/Mat North/Mat South 52%
Midlands 49%
Post-secondary education 88%
Secondary education 72%
Primary or no formal education 45%
56+ years 52%
36-55 years 71%
18-35 years 68%
Women 64%
Men 72%
Rural 61%
Urban 80%
Average 68%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Respondents were asked: How well informed would you say you are about the coronavirus or the COVID-
19 pandemic, and efforts to combat it? (% who say “somewhat well informed” or “very well informed”)
Impact
Almost one in 10 respondents (8%) say they or a member of their households became ill with
COVID-19, and almost half (47%) report that a household member lost a job, business, or
primary source of income because of the pandemic (Figure 3).
The loss of a primary source of income was more common in cities (57% on average,
including 62% in Harare) than in rural areas (40%) (Figure 4). Older respondents (30%) are less
likely to have suffered the loss of income than younger citizens (47%-54%).
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 3Citizens with post-secondary education (58%) are more likely to report losing an income
source than their less educated counterparts (including 33% of those with primary or no
formal schooling). Economically well-off citizens (52% of those with no or low lived poverty)
are more likely to report losing an income than poorer citizens (44%).
Figure 3: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic | Zimbabwe | 2021
100% 91%
80%
60% 53%
47%
40%
20% 8%
0%
Became ill with COVID-19 Lost income due to COVID-19
Yes No
Respondents were asked: Please tell me if you personally or any other member of your household have
been affected in any of the following ways by the COVID-19 pandemic: Became ill with COVID-19?
Temporarily or permanently lost a job, business, or primary source of income?
Figure 4: Loss of income due to COVID-19 | by socio-demographic group | Zimbabwe
| 2021
Harare 62%
Manicaland 53%
Mashonaland East 53%
Masvingo 47%
Mashonaland Central 47%
Mashonaland West 37%
Midlands 35%
Bulawayo/Mat North/Mat South 34%
Low/No lived poverty 52%
Moderate lived poverty 44%
High lived poverty 44%
Post-secondary education 58%
Secondary education 49%
Primary or no formal education 33%
56+ years 30%
36-55 years 54%
18-35 years 47%
Women 46%
Men 47%
Rural 40%
Urban 57%
Average 47%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Respondents were asked: Please tell me if you personally or any other member of your household have
been affected in any of the following ways by the COVID-19 pandemic: Temporarily or permanently
lost a job, business or primary source of income? (% who say “yes”)
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 4Lockdowns and school closures
More than three-fourths (77%) of Zimbabweans say it was “difficult” or “very difficult” to
comply with imposed lockdown or curfew restrictions (Figure 5).
Even so, citizens overwhelmingly (81%) agree that despite their negative impacts on people’s
livelihoods, the restrictions were necessary to limit the spread of COVID-19 (Figure 6).
Figure 5: Ease of compliance with lockdown or curfew restrictions | Zimbabwe
| 2021
100%
77%
80%
60%
40%
18%
20%
5%
0%
Difficult/Very difficult Neither easy nor difficult Easy/Very easy
Respondents were asked: How easy or difficult was it for you and your household to comply with the
lockdown or curfew restrictions imposed by the government?
Figure 6: Support for lockdown | Zimbabwe | 2021
47% 34% 8% 5%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree
Respondents were asked: Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement:
Even if the lockdown or curfew had negative impacts on the economy and people’s livelihoods, it was
necessary to limit the spread the spread of COVID-19?
Most citizens (81%) also endorse the government’s decision to close the schools (Figure 7),
but a similar majority (85%) think they should have reopened sooner, including 77% who say
they remained closed “much too long” (Figure 8).
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 5Figure 7: Support for school closure | Zimbabwe | 2021
100%
6%
8%
80%
25% Strongly oppose
60%
Somewhat oppose
Somewhat support
40%
Strongly support
56%
20%
0%
Respondents were asked: Did you support or oppose the government’s decision to close schools in an
effort to limit the spread of COVID-19?
Figure 8: Length of school closure | Zimbabwe | 2021
100%
77%
80%
60%
40%
20% 11%
8%
3% 1%
0%
Much too Somewhat About the Somewhat Much too
long too long right length too short short
Respondents were asked: In your opinion, was the period during which schools were closed too long or
too short?
Government assistance and performance
An overwhelming majority (90%) of Zimbabweans say they did not receive any assistance
from the government, such as food, cash payments, or relief from bill payments, during the
pandemic (Figure 9). Only one in 10 (10%) say their household received such assistance, a
stark contrast to the 47% of citizens who say they lost a job, business, or primary source of
income.
Citizens’ economic status made little difference in whether they received government
assistance. In fact, the poorest respondents are slightly more likely to have gone without
assistance (91%) than their wealthier counterparts (87%) (Figure 10).
Supporters of the political opposition are slightly more likely to report going without
government assistance than those close to the ruling party (95% for MDC-Chamisa supporters
vs. 88% of ZANU-PF supporters).
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 6Figure 9: Received government assistance | Zimbabwe | 2021
10%
Received
government
assistance
Did not receive
government
assistance
90%
Respondents were asked: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, have you or your household
received any assistance from government, like food, cash payments, relief from bill payments, or other
assistance that you were not normally receiving before the pandemic?
Figure 10: Did not receive government assistance | by socio-demographic group
| Zimbabwe | 2021
Women 91%
Men 88%
56+ years 88%
36-55 years 94%
18-35 years 87%
Rural 89%
Urban 90%
Post-secondary education 92%
Secondary education 90%
Primary or no formal education 88%
Close to ZANU-PF 88%
Close to MDC-Chamisa 95%
High lived poverty 91%
Moderate lived poverty 91%
Low/No lived poverty 87%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Respondents were asked: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, have you or your household
received any assistance from government, like food, cash payments, relief from bill payments, or other
assistance that you were not normally receiving before the pandemic? (% who say “no”)
Only about one in 10 respondents (9%) say that government assistance was distributed fairly,
while almost half (48%) say benefits were distributed “somewhat unfairly” or “very unfairly”
(Figure 11). More than four in 10 (43%) describe the assistance as “neither fair nor unfair” or
say they “don’t know.”
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 7Figure 11: Fairness of government assistance | Zimbabwe | 2021
100%
80%
60% 48%
43%
40%
20% 9%
0%
Somewhat fairly/Very Somewhat Neither fairly nor
fairly unfairly/Very unfairly unfairly/Don't know
Respondents were asked: Do you think that the benefits of government programs to support people
during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example through food packages or cash payments, have been
distributed fairly, or that the distribution was unfair, for example by favoring certain groups or regions?
More than half of the poorest citizens (53%) are of the view that government assistance was
distributed unfairly, compared to about a third (37%) of those who experienced no or low
lived poverty (Figure 12).
Figure 12: Government assistance distributed unfairly | by socio-demographic group
| Zimbabwe| 2021
Women 43%
Men 51%
56+ years 41%
36-55 years 52%
18-35 years 45%
Rural 43%
Urban 53%
Post-secondary education 52%
Secondary education 49%
Primary or no formal education 36%
High lived poverty 53%
Moderate lived poverty 48%
Low/No lived poverty 37%
Manicaland 68%
Bulawayo/Mat North/Mat South 52%
Harare 50%
Mashonaland East 46%
Mashonaland Central 42%
Mashonaland West 39%
Midlands 36%
Masvingo 33%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Respondents were asked: Do you think that the benefits of government programs to support people
during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example through food packages or cash payments, have been
distributed fairly, or that the distribution was unfair, for example by favoring certain groups or regions?
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 8The perception that government assistance was distributed unfairly is also more common
among men (51%) and urban residents (53%) than among women (43%) and rural dwellers
(43%). More than half (52%) of middle-aged citizens complain of unfair distribution,
compared to 45% of youth and 41% of the older generation.
Manicaland province has the largest proportion of residents (68%) who see the distribution of
assistance as unfair, a sentiment shared by only 33% of Masvingo residents,
Overall, however, more than eight in 10 Zimbabweans say the government has performed
“fairly well” or “very well” in managing the response to COVID-19 (81%) and in keeping the
public informed about the pandemic (84%) (Figure 13).
At the same time, they are divided on whether government statistics on COVID-19 are
trustworthy (50% say yes, 46% no), and a majority (54%) believe that “some” or “a lot” of
resources intended for the COVID-19 response were lost to government corruption.
Figure 13: Assessment of government efforts during the pandemic | Zimbabwe
| 2021
100%
81% 84%
80%
60% 54%
50%
46%
40%
20% 15% 14% 13%
0%
Some/A lot
None/A little
Somewhat/A lot
Fairly well/Very well
Fairly badly/Very badly
Fairly well/Very well
Fairly badly/Very badly
Not at all/A little bit
Managing COVID-19 Keeping public Trust government COVID-19 resources
response informed about COVID-19 statistics lost to corruption
COVID-19
Respondents were asked:
How well or badly would you say the current government has handled the following matters since
the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, or haven’t you heard enough to say: Managing the response
to the COVID-19 pandemic? Keeping the public informed about COVID-19?
How much do you trust the official statistics provided by government on the number of infections
and deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Considering all of the funds and resources that were available to the government for combating
and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, how much do you think was lost or stolen due to
corruption among government officials?
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 9Vaccines
Zimbabweans are sharply divided in their attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines (Figure 14).
Only about four in 10 (42%) trust the government “somewhat” or “a lot” to ensure that
vaccines are safe, while more than half (51%) express little or no such trust.
Similarly, fewer than half (47%) say they are “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to try to get
vaccinated.
Figure 14: Attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines | Zimbabwe | 2021
100%
80%
60%
51% 51%
47%
42%
40%
20%
0%
Not at all/Just a Somewhat/A lot Somewhat Somewhat
little unlikely/Very likely/Very likely
unlikely
Trust government to ensure safety of Likelihood of trying to get COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccine vaccination
Respondents were asked:
How much do you trust the government to ensure that any vaccine for COVID-19 that is
developed or offered to Zimbabwean citizens is safe before it is used in this country?
If a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available and the government says it is safe, how likely are
you to try to get vaccinated?
Remarkably, hesitancy about getting vaccinated is highest among the most educated
citizens: Only 32% of those with post-secondary qualifications say they are “somewhat” or
“very” likely to try to get the vaccine, compared to about half of those with less education
(Figure 15). Similarly, urban residents (37%) are less likely to try to get vaccinated than their
rural counterparts (52%).
Young Zimbabweans are more hesitant than their elders: Only 44% of 18- to 35-year-olds say
it’s likely they’ll try to get vaccinated, compared to 48%-53% among older respondents.
And supporters of the opposition MDC-Chamisa (32%) are considerably less likely to seek
vaccination than ZANU-PF supporter (59%).
When asked which they think is more effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, prayer or a
vaccine, Zimbabweans offer divergent responses. While more than one-third (37%) think
prayer is “somewhat” or “much” more effective than a vaccine, a similar proportion (34%)
see prayer as less effective, and one-fourth (26%) think the two are about equally effective
(Figure 16).
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 10Figure 15: Likely to try to get vaccinated | by socio-demographic group
| Zimbabwe | 2021
Average 47%
Women 48%
Men 45%
56+ years 53%
36-55 years 48%
18-35 years 44%
Rural 52%
Urban 37%
Post-secondary education 32%
Secondary education 49%
Primary or no formal education 51%
Close to ZANU-PF 59%
Close to MDC-Chamisa 32%
Mashonaland East 62%
Manicaland 59%
Masvingo 50%
Bulawayo/Mat North/Mat South 52%
Midlands 45%
Mashonaland Central 43%
Mashonaland West 35%
Harare 34%
Respondents were asked: If a vaccine for COVID-19 becomes available and the government says it is
safe, how likely are you to try to get vaccinated? (% who say “somewhat likely” or “very likely”)
Figure 16: Prayer vs. vaccine: Which is more effective? | Zimbabwe | 2021
Prayer somewhat/much
3% more effective than
vaccine
About equally effective
37%
34%
Prayer somewhat/much
less effective than
vaccine
Don't know/
26% Refused
Respondents were asked: Some people think that prayer is an effective way to alter events in the
world. Others put more faith in science to solve problems. Some people believe in both. What about
you? Do you think that prayer is more effective or less effective than a vaccine would be in preventing
COVID-19 infection?
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 11Restrictions on freedoms and democracy
Almost three-fourths (72%) of Zimbabweans say the government is justified in using the police
or military to enforce public health mandates, such as lockdown orders, mask requirements,
and restrictions on public gatherings, during a health emergency (Figure 17).
Views are more divided on whether a pandemic justifies postponing elections or limiting
political campaigning: Half (51%) of Zimbabweans say yes, while 36% disagree. And citizens
are evenly split on censorship of the media during a pandemic: 43% say such restrictions are
justified, but 45% disagree.
Figure 17: Restrict freedoms during health emergency? | Zimbabwe| 2021
Use armed forces/police to enforce
72% 18%
public health measures
Postpone elections/Limit campaigns
51% 36%
during pandemic
Censor media during pandemic 43% 45%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Agree/Strongly agree Disagree/Strongly disagree
Respondents were asked: When the country is facing a public health emergency like the COVID-19
pandemic, do you agree or disagree that it is justified for the government to temporarily limit
democracy or democratic freedoms by taking the following measures: Censoring media reporting?
Using the police and security forces to enforce public health mandates like lockdown orders, mask
requirements, or restrictions on public gatherings? Postponing elections or limiting political
campaigning?
Despite significant popular support for restrictions during a health crisis, Zimbabweans also
express concern that the COVID-19 pandemic might provide cover for politicians seeking to
advance their own agendas. A majority (55%) say they are worried, including 34% who are
“very worried,” that politicians are using or will use the pandemic as an opportunity to
increase their power and authority (Figure 18).
Figure 18: Worried about politicians’ intentions | Zimbabwe | 2020
Respondents were
100%
asked: How
20% worried are you, if
80% Not at all worried at all, that the
16% following things are
taking place or
60% Not very worried might take place in
Zimbabwe:
21% Politicians are using
40% Somewhat worried the pandemic as
an opportunity to
20% increase their
34% Very worried
power and
authority?
0%
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 12Looking ahead
More than half (51%) of Zimbabweans believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is going to be a
“somewhat serious” or “very serious” problem for the country over the next six months, while
37% think it will not (Figure 19).
A somewhat larger majority (57%) say the government should invest more in special
preparations for health emergencies like COVID-19, even if it means that fewer resources
would be available for other health services.
Figure 19: Future impacts of COVID-19 | Zimbabwe| 2021
100%
80%
57%
60% 51%
37%
40% 31%
20%
0%
Not very serious/Not Somewhat Disagree/Strongly Agree/Strongly
at all serious serious/Very serious disagree agree
Pandemic will be serious over the next 6 Need greater investment to prepare for
months health emergencies
Respondents were asked:
Looking ahead, how serious of a problem do you think the COVID-19 pandemic will be for Liberia
over the next six months?
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Our government needs to invest more of
our health resources in special preparations to respond to health emergencies like COVID-19,
even if it means fewer resources are available for other health services?
Conclusion
The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Zimbabwe’s families has been severe:
Almost half of citizens say their households lost a primary source of income, and very few
report receiving government assistance to help tide them over.
Even so, most respondents approve of the government’s overall response to the pandemic,
including difficult lockdowns and school closures and the use of security forces to enforce
restrictions.
Shortcomings in the government-led response are highlighted in widespread perceptions
that corrupt officials stole at least “some” COVID-19 resources, that pandemic assistance
was not distributed fairly, that politicians might use the pandemic as cover for their personal
agendas, and that the government is unable to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are safe.
Given that fewer than half of Zimbabweans say they are likely to try to get vaccinated, a
countrywide vaccination campaign will require considerable public education and
persuasion if it is to succeed.
Copyright ©Afrobarometer 2021 13References
Amnesty International. (2020). Zimbabwe: Authorities thwart anti-corruption protests, launch a
witch-hunt against activists. 31 July.
Mukeredzi, T. (2020). Under pressure, government closes universities and schools. University World
News. 23 March.
News24. (2021). Covid-19: Lockdown curbs fuel urban hunger in Zimbabwe – UN. 29 March.
World Health Organization. (2021). WHO coronavirus (COVID-19) dashboard.
Zimbabwe Peace Project. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on socio-economic rights in Zimbabwe.
Zvayara, T. (2020). Public transport shortages putting many at risk. Gender Links for Equality and
Justice. 4 September.
Stephen Ndoma is principal researcher for Mass Public Opinion Institute in Harare.
Email: stephen@mpoi.org.zw.
Simangele Moyo-Nyede is a research officer for Mass Public Opinion Institute in Harare.
Email: simangelemn@mpoi.org.zw.
Jonathan Kugarakuripi is a research officer for Mass Public Opinion Institute in Harare.
Email: jonathank@mpoi.org.zw.
Afrobarometer, a nonprofit corporation with headquarters in Ghana, is a pan-African, non-
partisan research network. Regional coordination of national partners in about 35 countries is
provided by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Institute for
Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) in South Africa, and the Institute for Development Studies
(IDS) at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Michigan State University (MSU) and the University
of Cape Town (UCT) provide technical support to the network.
Financial support for Afrobarometer Round 8 has been provided by Sweden via the Swedish
International Development Cooperation Agency, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, the Open
Society Foundations, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) via the U.S. Institute of Peace, the European Union, the
National Endowment for Democracy, Freedom House, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands in Uganda, GIZ, and Humanity United.
Donations help Afrobarometer give voice to African citizens. Please consider making a
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Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 458 | 17 June 2021
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