BY HENRY MHARA

DYNAMOS has completed the signing of Godknows Murwira on loan from FC Platinum, to take their mid-season transfer acquisitions to four and the midfielder is expected to feature for the club when they face off with rivals Caps United in the Harare derby at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday.

Murwira has been loaned until the end of the season although Dynamos has an option to make the deal permanent.

Coach Tonderai Ndiraya confirmed that the versatile player has joined and his arrival follows that of strikers Simba Nhivi and Evans Katema and midfielder Archford Gutu.

“From the onset, I said we are reorganising the team because we were not happy with some of the quality that we have. We made it clear that we were going to
add five players and we are doing that. We have added four so far and those are done deals,” Ndiraya said, adding that they are currently assessing a winger with the hope of adding him to the squad.

Ndiraya is hoping that Murwira will get his clearance from the Premier Soccer League in time for the match against Caps.

“The finer details are being worked on and I am hoping that by the end of today (yesterday) or tomorrow (today) all the paperwork will be done for him to play on Sunday. We have done our part here, and the management is running around to make sure that we have Godknows for the Sunday match.”

Murwira made his name at Dynamos where he joined a few years before Ndiraya snapped him when he was coaching Ngezi Platinum Stars two seasons ago.

After a splendid season with the Mhondoro-Ngezi side in which he was voted as one of the eleven finalists for the Soccer Star of the Year, FC Platinum opened
the cheque book and snared him to Zvishavane.

But the midfielder, who is equally comfortable playing in defence, somehow failed to break into Norman Mapeza-coached side and subsequently asked for a move
away.

He barely played any match at FC Platinum, but there is no doubting the talent.

Ndiraya, though, who first worked with Murwira at Dynamos, is not worried.

“Godknows brings some quality and he also brings experience. He has been playing at the top level for a while and he brings something which we have been
missing in our team. Not just him, but all the other guys who are joining us. His inclusion will give us some form of respectability from the other teams. Most
importantly he can contribute to the cause of the team in so many ways because he is a utility player and that is the reason why we went for him because he can
cover so many positions,” Ndiraya said.

“He is a boy I have worked with in the past and I know how best to use him. I know how to get the best out of him, so that’s were I’m deriving my confidence
from. I’m sure he will settle quickly because he played for the team before. He is also a very good player, and that is what we are banking on. We are not really worried about his inactiveness over the past half season.”

Gutu signed some few weeks ago and has been training with the team for almost a month now, but he hasn’t been playing because he was yet to receive his
international transfer clearance from his former club.

It appears that has since been sorted and he is likely to play a part on Sunday although Ndiraya has some concerns about the midfielder’s fitness.

“His paperwork was done this week and we are expecting him to feature, but we are a little bit concerned about his fitness. We will sit down and decide which
part he can play for the team on Sunday. He hasn’t been active for a while, so we will keep pushing him. We had no option (but to have) him in and we will have
to get his fitness while he is playing,” Ndiraya said.

Katema and Nhivi featured for the team in the 1-all draw against Black Rhinos at the weekend, with the former marking his debut with an assist.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

MISS Zimbabwe International director Patience Lusengo yesterday said modelling programmes were designed to empower young women who would have won crowns in various pageants with lifelong skills they would use even beyond their reigns.

Lusengo told NewsDay Life & Style in a wide-ranging interview that several successful models outside Zimbabwe — particularly those who have participated in
Miss Zimbabwe International — have done very well in different facets of society because modelling empowered them for success.

“Most of my girls have used the skills taught to them in their everyday day life and have been able to build successful careers in medicine, film, television
presenting and social work, to name a few. We are really proud to say all our girls are true ambassadors of our brand and country,” she said.

Lusengo rolled off her tongue Tracey-Anne Buckley Aggett, Sibongile Mlambo, Farai Gundani and Makho Ndlovu.

Aggett, who was Mrs Zimbabwe International 2016 and second Princess-Miss Garden Route 2010, was exposed to the plight of abused women and children during her
reign and working with them has become her passion.

Mlambo, who is also an actress and dancer, is now best known for her acting roles as Eme in Starz Network’s Black Sails and Donna, a mermaid and sister of the
main character, Ryn, in Freeform’s Siren.

In Season 6 of Teen Wolf, Mlambo played Tamora Monroe, a counsellor-turned-hunter, who joined forces with Gerard Argent in a failed attempt to eradicate
supernatural creatures from the world.

The 2009 First Princess, Gundani, is now in the Harvard University 2017 MPA Class and was also a 2015 Young Global Leader, World Economic Forum and a Dangote Fellow.

“She has pooled her skills into image consultancy and styling,” Lusengo said.

Gundani has also been listed among the top 10 writers for Forbes.com and was the recipient of the 2015 Media Excellence Award by African Women Awards and 2014
Emerging African Leader Award by Temple University.

Ladybrille Magazine named her as one of 20 Influential African Women Entrepreneurs in the United States in 2015.

Ndlovu, who was Miss Zimbabwe US 2010, is now a celebrity reporter and blogger in New York. In 2011, she was handpicked by music mogul Russell Simmons out of
thousands of contestants as the Global Grind celebrity video correspondent winner and is now the BET Africa US correspondent.

Despite the glittering successes, Lusengo admitted that sex predators abound in the industry, so it was important to teach models to be on the lookout for
them.

“Without proper guidance and protection, models will be taken advantage of, not only by predators, but by clients as well. It’s important that models are
taught the pros and cons of the industry and make sure they have the right management behind them,” she added.

She bemoaned lack of financial assistance from both the private sector and government.

BY MISHMA CHAKANYUKA

AMERICAN online ride-hailing service, inDriver, has begun recruiting local drivers for its service ahead of launch in Zimbabwe towards month end.

The inDriver application allows drivers to apply for registration and passengers to negotiate fares with drivers.

“We want the passengers and drivers to determine independently and directly a fair and favourable price for each route. In inDriver it is up to each driver to
take a ride request, skip it or send a counter offer. We want to give the power of setting prices back into the hands of passengers and drivers. As a result,
drivers will be able to get higher income while enjoying more transparency and flexibility,” said inDriver marketing director Egor Fedorov, in a statement
yesterday.

InDriver was founded in 2012 with US$15 million in seed capital.

The online hailing service is headquartered in New York, United States, and has more than 26 million users throughout the world.

In Africa, the company is already operating in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The firm joins a growing market for ride-hailing services which includes operators such as Cassava Smartech’s Vaya, Toda and Hwindi.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

Platinum miner Mimosa says it is performing at full capacity and sees no threats of losses for its operation in the immediate future.

Mimosa is jointly owned by Impala Platinum and Sibanye, who have a 50% stake apiece.

General manager, Alex Mushonhiwa told NewsDay Business on the sidelines of a tour by the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Energy on Tuesday that the
company was on sound footing.

“In terms of revenue, we are able to meet the targeted revenues from the minerals that we sell. I can’t mention the figures, but we are meeting those revenues and the company is doing very well. The company is making a profit and we are performing fairly well. There is no threat of losses. We are not making a loss at
all,” he said.

Mushonhiwa said the mine had hammered out an arrangement with the power utility, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, for a
dedicated line.

Mines and industry in Zimbabwe have been reporting increased down time because of increased load-shedding, which in most cases lasts for up to 16 hours a day.

“We help them with their payments and then they guarantee us uninterrupted power. So that managed to hedge major problems,” Mushonhiwa said.

“Now we are able to plan because the government policies are (now) much clearer and issues are being addressed very quickly. So we are very happy with that
area, otherwise it could be an area of concern, but there is a big change there.”

The Zvishavane-based mine produces an average of 120 000 ounces annually.

Implats has indicated that it expects an increase in basic and headline earnings a share for the period because of improved platinum group metals basket price
and better operational performances during the financial year ended June 30.

BY TATIRA ZWINOIRA/MISHMA CHAKANYUKA

BUSINESSES yesterday convened a crisis meeting to map a way forward as the country’s electricity challenges continue weighing down industrial productivity.

The latest spell of power cuts has made a dire situation even more desperate for a sector which is already operating way below capacity because of antiquated machinery, weak consumer demand and lack of access to affordable lines of finance from the global market.

The southern African nation is currently producing less than half its peak demand for power of about 1 800 megawatts due to the low water levels at Kariba Dam
and ageing infrastructure at its Hwange thermal power plant.

The power utility has enforced an aggressive load-shedding schedule, which has seen industry and households go for up to 17 hours a day without electricity.

Some ingenious companies are now only operating between 10pm and 4am when electricity is available.

“The power cuts have been devastating for industry. Some companies have suspended operations, while others have opted to operate at night for the few hours
power is on. Generators are being used by some, but this makes production very expensive,” Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Henry Ruzvidzo told
NewsDay Business yesterday.

“Zesa has indicated that on stage 2 load-shedding, only essential services will be spared. Customers, including those on dedicated lines, have been subjected
to load-shedding.”

The country’s telecoms network is also reeling from the acute power shortages, which have seen some operators switch off base stations in the absence of power.

Those that are relying on backup generators are also finding the going tough because of the costly price of diesel when it is available.

Government recently increased the price of fuel to ZWL$5,85 a litre of diesel, but the resource remains scarce.

BY TATIRA ZWINOIRA

THE Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) says hotels operating in Victoria Falls should be allowed to receipt payments in foreign currency, after government outlawed the multi-currency system.

On Tuesday, Cabinet agreed that hotels in the resort town should pay their electricity bills in forex to guarantee power availability.

“What needs to be done is to also let hotels be allowed to receipt in forex for both locals and foreigners. Also, for the tourism capital, Victoria Falls, let it be exempted from load shedding after the compelling to pay electricity in forex. Also, we feel the operators should retain 100% of forex earnings to cushion the bills and imports of other commodities that are not available locally,” HAZ president Innocent Manyera told NewsDay in a phone interview yesterday.

“So it can be a welcome development if load shedding is exempted to the Victoria Falls since they will be paying in forex and tourists can enjoy seamless
experience without power interruption.”

Manyera said the current level of load shedding being experienced in the country was threatening viability of the sector.

“The sector got potential, but without reliable sources of power all will be fruitless. We need power for lighting, kitchen production, laundry and pumping
water, among other things. So without it operations have been difficult. It will be an advantage if Victoria Falls, as a town is rest assured of electricity
and rest assured of charging in forex,” Manyera said.

Dubai — The introduction of concussion replacements and a change to over-rate punishments were two of the major decisions made at the International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference in London, where the headline was the decision to suspend Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) with immediate effect.

The ICC board unanimously decided that the full member had failed to fulfil their obligation to provide a process for free and democratic elections and to ensure that there is no government interference in its administration for cricket.

ICC funding will be suspended, and representative teams from the country will be barred from participating at ICC events, putting their participation in
October’s Men’s T20 World Cup qualifier in jeopardy.

“We do not take the decision to suspend a member lightly, but we must keep our sport free from political interference,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said.

“What has happened in Zimbabwe is a serious breach of the ICC constitution and we cannot allow it to continue unchecked. The ICC wants cricket to continue in
Zimbabwe in accordance with the ICC constitution.”

Concussion replacements will also be introduced following successful trials in domestic cricket.

The player will need to be a like-for-like substitute, and any such switch will need to be approved by the match referee.

The change will come into effect from August 1, meaning the first game for which they will be in play will be the first men’s Ashes Test at Edgbaston.

Also significant is an alteration to punishments for maintaining a slow over-rate. Captains will no longer face suspension, but players face point deductions
in the ICC Test Championship for breaches.

ICC

BY XOLISANI NCUBE

GOVERNMENT yesterday agreed to extend the $400 cushioning allowance to all civil servants at a meeting with the Apex Council.

“The government brought different offers which ranged from 25% of total earnings of a civil servant to 50% of the same, which we vehemently rejected as it fell too short to address the incapacitation faced by the civil servants,” the Apex Council said in a statement last night.

“Through further negotiations and dialogue, we have achieved to make the government pay each and every civil servant the sum of $400 as a once-off payment
together with the salary of July regardless of one’s grade.”

Talks on cost of living adjustment are still on-going.

On Wednesday, opposition MPs took to task Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Lovemore Matuke on allegations that government awarded an
over $400 cushion allowance to soldiers while offering other civil servants $97.

Marondera Central MP Caston Matewu (MDC) led the MPs in grilling Matuke why government had paid members of the military over $400 when other civil servants got
a pittance.

“What is the government policy in relation to the remuneration of civil servants cushioning allowances, noting the considerable differences across the civil
service, for example, the military getting a cushioning allowance of $400 while the rest of the civil service have to do with only $97,” he said.

But Matuke said he was not aware how much members of the military were given.

He said negotiations were still in progress to come up with a figure that would be allocated to the civil servants.

“So, we hope that by the end of the week or early next week, we will come up with a figure so that people can come up with the comparison if there is anything
to compare. Thank you so much,” Matuke said.

His response attracted further questions from MPs, with Prosper Mutseyami asking why soldiers were paid when other civil servant were still in talks with
government.

“I do not know where my colleague is getting that information. What I am saying here is that the negotiations are still on and the ZW$90 which the member is
trying to put across in this house is not yet official. So, what we are simply saying is that let us wait until the conclusion on the negotiating table,”
Matuke responded.

Innocent Gonese followed through with his question, asking Matuke to either confirm or refute allegations that the army was paid $400.

“Madam Speaker, the honourable member has no documentary evidence to what he is saying. What I can only say in this House is, if the honourable member feels
that they were given ZW$400 without any proof, then I am not in a position to know those issues,” Matuke said.

The Labour deputy minister said government was also still in talks for a cushioning allowance for pensioners because their salaries, just like civil servants’,
had been eroded by inflation.

“The cushioning allowance for pensioners is still under discussion and the amount that they will be given will be determined by the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Development. In fact, the point we are trying to stress here is that whatever payment that will be paid to the civil servants will be worked in
relation (to) our current budget,” Matuke said.

“Yes, I agree with you Madam Speaker that there is need to increase the salaries for civil servants, but as you know, there is a discussion between the
employee and our ministry to try and establish the proper figures.”

Liverpool — Malawi yesterday recorded a 59-43 win over African rivals Zimbabwe to secure third place in Group F today.

The Queens continued their impressive tournament so far, and have now given themselves a real chance of securing a top six finish.

The match was the first ever World Cup meeting between the sides, who had both impressed during the tournament so far.

Malawi were able to bring Joyce Mvula back into the team, while Zimbabwe were again backed by their increasing band of supporters, whose vocal and vibrant
backing of their team – World Cup debutants – has become a fantastic feature of the competition.

It was the Zimbabweans who started the better, taking advantage of what was a scrappy start to the game to establish a 4-1 lead, but some good work defensively
from Towera Vinkhumbo allowed Malawi to find their feet, and then come roaring back.

Mvula and the ever-dependable Jane Chimaliro helped to take the scoreline out to 10-5 in the Queens’ favour, before the teams traded goals in a more even
period, to end the first quarter at 12-8 to the Malawians.

Zimbabwe brought on the talismanic figure of Pauline Jani for the second quarter, and she made a positive impact, scoring with her first three attempts early
on in the quarter.

However, the dominant figure in the goal third was undoubtedly Vinkhumbo, and her assured play was replicated further up the court as Malawi embarked upon a
scoring streak.

They took their lead out to ten (22-12) midway through the quarter, and despite a mini Zimbabwean revival – encouraged by their passionate support – the margin
stayed consistent at half time, with Malawi going in 28-18 up.

The Queens took that momentum into the third quarter, scoring the first seven goals of the segment as Vinkhumbo’s outstanding performance continued, and Mvula
and Chimaliro continued to work well together in the opposing circle.

Joice Takaidza registered Zimbabwe’s first goal of the quarter six minutes in, and the Zim Gems put together a much more cohesive performance in the second
half of the quarter, eventually only losing it by four.

However, Malawi’s overall lead was growing, and was out to 43-29 by the end of the third period.

The final quarter was to prove the tightest of the game, as Zimbabwe put together an impressive finish, but Malawi had done more than enough to sew up victory
and go into the play-off and placing games with real confidence.

The outstanding Vinkhumbo was replaced with three minutes left – Malawi’s first change of the match – while there was a more worrying substitution for
Zimbabwe, who saw Takaidza leave the arena via a wheelchair after a collision. Malawi will now play the fourth-placed finishers in Group G to determine who
will play-off for fifth place.

Player of the match Vinkhumbo said: “We are happy because we wanted to beat Zimbabwe. They are a tough team and they have been doing good in their games so
far, so we really wished to win this game.

“I am so pleased with my performance because it’s motivated me for the games remaining. I knew that if I intercepted more balls, it would give an advantage to
our side.”

nwc

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has said government will soon review traditional leaders allowances because their earnings are meagre given the prevailing economic situation.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with Midlands chiefs on Wednesday in Gweru, Mohadi said the traditional leaders had raised concern over their welfare and that government was going to address their grievances.

“During our closed-door meeting, the chiefs raised burning concerns, including that of their welfare,” Mohadi said.

“We must understand that chiefs don’t have much in terms of allowances and we are definitely going to review their allowances.”

Mohadi, however, did not disclose how much the traditional leaders were demanding as an increment.

The demands by chiefs come at a time when government critics have questioned the pampering of chiefs given that government is struggling to meet demands tabled
by civil servants.

On Tuesday, government offered its workers a 50% cushioning allowance for July and salary increment of ZW$116 per individual from August to December.

Workers’ representatives, however, rejected the offer, saying the lowest paid civil servant should earn at least ZWL$4 750.

Last year, chiefs were given brand new Isuzu double-cab vehicles with government promising them more benefits such as land, houses and fuel, among others.

In December last year at the chiefs annual conference in Kadoma, President Emmerson Mnangagwa promised to exempt traditional leaders from paying land tax and
would be given more land and benefit from the command livestock initiative.

Critics, however, say the packages showered on chiefs are a vote-buying gimmick by the ruling Zanu PF party, which uses traditional leaders to coerce rural
voters to vote for the party.

But government maintains that since traditional leaders are custodians of the land, their welfare should be a top priority.