(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Few people in South Africa think the government should allow refugees fleeing neighbouring Zimbabwe to stay in the country, according to a poll by TNS Research Surveys. Only 29 per cent of respondents agree with the idea.

Zimbabwe’s government—headed by Robert Mugabe since 1980—has been repeatedly criticized for human rights abuses. More than five million people have left Zimbabwe over the past decade, seeking refuge mostly in South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique. The country’s unemployment rate reaches 80 per cent according to recent estimates, with 68 per cent of the population living in poverty.

Zimbabwe held a presidential election on Mar. 29. Official results gave opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) candidate Morgan Tsvangirai a narrow lead over Mugabe. A run-off was scheduled for Jun. 27.

On Jun. 22, Tsvangirai withdrew from the second round, saying, "Conditions as of today do not permit the holding of a credible poll. Given the totality of these circumstances, we believe a credible election is impossible. We can’t ask the people to cast their vote on June 27 when that vote will cost their lives. We will no longer participate in this violent sham of an election."

Voting went on as scheduled. Mugabe was sworn in for a new six-year term on Jun. 29.

On Jun. 28, the international aid group Doctors Without Borders denounced that South Africa deported 450 refugees back to Zimbabwe the night before. Rachel Cohen, head of the group’s South African branch, called the deportations "unacceptable" and "in violation of international as well as South African law, which guarantee the right to seek asylum."

Polling Data

Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
("Agree" listed)

Source: TNS Research Surveys
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,000 South African adults in seven major metropolitan areas, conducted in April 2008. Margin of error is 2.5 per cent.

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