Jumbo (WZ 1452), an eight-year-old Boran bull, is an exceptionally well-balanced animal that is structurally correct on nearly every level.

This was according to Simeon Hurwitz of Hurwitz Farming, after the bull was sold for R 2,3 million, a new South African record for the breed, at the recent Hurwitz Farming production sale near Bethal.

The previous record price for a Boran bull was R1,7 million.

The bull was bought by the Cutury family from Zambia, and Hurwitz said he was bred from one of the best cows ever known locally, and his progeny underpins his breeding value.

While Jumbo bred outstanding female animals, he was especially known for top-quality bull breeding.

“Not only will the Cutury’s Mutanda Farms operation benefit from this remarkable bull, but the entire Boran breed in Zambia stands to gain from his genetics.

“Although Zambia is one of the pioneering Boran breeding countries in Africa, the new genetics are bound to lend renewed impetus to the breed in that country. A bull like Jumbo’s semen will always be highly sought after and the semen can be used for countless generations to come,” he added.

The 2022 Hurwitz Farming auction broke every record in local Boran breeding circles.

The highest-priced cow and calf was sold for a record R1,1 million, while the highest-priced in-calf heifer realised R650 000, and an open heifer R320 000.

Two other bulls were sold for R1,5 million and R1,3 million respectively.

According to Hurwitz, the high prices underscored the increasing recognition of the breed’s intrinsic value as a truly African breed bred for African conditions.

The number of South African Boran breeders currently stands at 350 representing some 40 000 cattle.

Minister of Justice Mulambo Haimbe has commissioned a newly constructed Police Post in Nyumba Yanga Township in Lubwa ward in Lusaka yesterday.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony Mr. Haimbe noted that the construction of the new police post building in the area marks the flagship of how Constituency Development Funds (CDF) should be utilized by the community.

Mr.Haimbe indicated that the construction of the facility commenced in 2017 under the CDF programme, which sets an example of how the increased CDF must be utilized by the people of Lubwa ward.

He stressed that the new facility will enhance the operations of the police officers in the area in addressing the increase in criminal offences which are mainly committed by young people popularly known as Junkies.

‘’I would like to assure the People of Lusaka central and the general citizenry that more of such works are yet to come. Very soon another police post will be completed in Chalala and North mead police post will soon be upgraded in a short space of time to keep the people safe,’’ said Mr. Haimbe.

And speaking at the commissioning, Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba noted that the new police post in Lubwa ward will allow the police officers to work in a conducive environment as compared to what they have been using in past.

Mr. Kajoba indicated that the new structure is suitable for police operations and it will boost morale amongst officers who in turn will work extra hard to fight crime in the area.

He also appealed to the residents of the Yumba Yanga community to guard the infrastructure jealously and avoid setting it ablaze for just minor misunderstanding with the police or mere rumor mongering.

‘’If such behavior is condoned without police presence Nyumba Yanga will automatically become a safe haven for criminals running on rampage to terrorize the communities,’’ said Mr. Kajoba.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Mayor Chilando Chitangala urged the community to safeguard the facility and avoid any form of vandalism because the police post is meant to protect them.

‘’I am delighted with the handover of the new police post and hope that it will work toward curbing crime in the community,’’ she said.

Sesheke District Commissioner Alex Namenda has dispelled rumours that applicants for the 2022 census are being charged a fee before being recruited.

Mr Namenda has described the recruitment and training of the 2022 census of population and housing Enumerators in Sesheke in the Western province as well.

He said the process is ongoing well unlike what is reported in some sections of social media.

Mr Namenda said that it is disappointing that a person can openly accuse a very transparent process of being corrupt.

Mr Namenda who is also chairperson of the Census Committee in the district said the number of people who applied to participate in the exercise was bigger as compared to the number of participants needed.

He disclosed that on the first day, the number of people who attended the aptitude test was over 1,025 and the committee only needed 168 and65 motorbike riders.

Mr Namenda disclosed that the 65 motorbike riders were offered as a priority to the government workers from departments with motorbikes to curb the challenge of transport.

Mr Namenda explained that the whole process has been done fairly.

“This is what happens in a situation when the employment rate is very high,” he said.

And when contacted for a comment, Sesheke District Administrative officer (DAO) Albertina Kabatana was shocked that she has been accused of being corrupt during the census recruitment saying that she is one person who believes in delivering her duties accordingly.

Ms Kabatana said she will not let the accusations vanish as it has defamed her character.

She said she will stand in the courts of law to prove if ever she was charging participants for the 2022 census temporal recruitment.

Meanwhile, Mazabuka District Census Committee has urged Enumerators selected to participate in the 2022 Census of Population and Housing to be disciplined and committed to the national exercise, if they are to collect accurate information.

ZANIS reports that Mazabuka District Census Committee, Oliver Mulomba says it is through discipline and commitment that Enumerators would collect accurate information that would help the country’s development planning for the next 10 years.

Mr. Mulomba who is also Mazabuka District Commissioner, said failure by the Enumerators to collect accurate information during the exercise which is set to take place from August 18, 2022 to September 14, 2022 would negatively affect policy formulation and Government’s development planning agenda.

He said this when he officially opened the 10 days training for 2022 Census Enumerators at Makoye Secondary School in Mazabuka.

Mr. Mulomba further said the census committee did not expect to receive reports of Enumerators drinking alcohol on duty.

“You have been recruited by Government and as such your behaviour must be exemplary. Tame any wayward behaviour that you may have during this important national exercise otherwise, we are going to replace you,” he said.

Mr. Mulomba said government expects quality services from those called to serve and as such, those who felt they were not equal to the task were free to leave.

“We want you to focus on doing the work. Avoid sitting under a tree and entering wrong information. If some of you feel that you are not equal to the task or that the work will be too much for you, the door is open,” he said.

And Mr. Mulomba said many people who had applied as Enumerators had not been selected as the number of applicants exceeded the number of slots available.

He encouraged those who were selected not to ridicule their peers who were left out but to instead counsel them and urge them to look for other opportunities.

The Census of Population and Housing is an essential national exercise whose results are invaluable for both national and local policy formulation, planning and the effective targeting of resources.

The opposition Patriotic Front has blamed the break-in at former president Edgar Lungu’s residence on the New Dawn Administration.

Addressing the media today, PF National Chairperson for Information and Publicity Raphael Nakacinda said the breaking in is unique as it is the first time in the history of the country the house of the former Head of State has been broken into.

Hon Nakacinda believes that the move was well-orchestrated “possibly” under the supervision of a professional entity.

“What has happened today is unique. It’s unique in a sense that this is the first time in the history of this country and it’s unheard of globally to have a house of a former Head of State broken into suggesting that thieves broken into,” he said.

“We have every reason to believe that this is a well-orchestrated professional way, possibly under the supervision of professional entity and it’s an indictment on or against those that are in authority, in charge of security.”

The MCC narrated to the media what exactly transpired regarding the incident in question.

“Yesterday, last night we received a report that conveniently ZESCO switched off power around 01:00. Neighbors here can attest to that in fact. What followed was the cutting to the power supply to the facility and the security wire that has been put in place,” he said.

“Now before we can give details to what has transpired from last night, I think it’s important to remind the Zambian people that the former Head of State is entitled by law to a certain outfit of security. But to have police officers withdrawn and only leaving two officers to look after him in a facility of this nature is reckless.”

Hon Nakacinda said President Hakainde Hichilema must be ashamed that under his watch, his predecessor is having people break into his house.

“They withdrew officers, the next thing they followed the Zambian aware of is that his ADC Aid Camp, responsible for his security was not only arrested on trumped up charges but also disarmed. Meaning that basically, putting the life of the former Head of State at risk,” he said.

“What has happened today can only be an indictment against President Hakainde Hichilema himself, Hon Jack Mwiimbu himself, the IG of the police because this is not only an embarrassment but reckless and should not have happened. How is that ZESCO conveniently at a time power went thieves came? Who coordinated that arrangement? Further, how is it that they knew the vulnerable area to access the house?”

He wondered why president Lungu, being a former Head of State is vulnerable.

Hon Nakacinda also wondered what kind of government UPND is as he accused it of putting that life of president Lungu and his family at risk. He said President Edgar Chagwa Lungu has been magnanimous enough to give President Hakainde Hichilema space to govern.

“Mr Hakainde Hichilema here, you must take personal responsibility. Your brother’s life is at stake and you are the number one citizen. He is the one that handed over power to you. Take responsibility,” he said.

According to Zambia Police, Ibex Hill Police Station recorded a case of breaking into a building and Committing a felony therein which occurred at the Former Republican President’s residence His Excellency Mr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Brief facts of the matter are that a report was received from Male Mayondi aged 42 of kabwata site and service attached under protective unit to the former president’s residence and on behalf of the family that unknown people broke into the house and stole two Sumsung smart television sets valued at K66,000.Entry and exit was gained through cutting electrical wire fence behind and climbed the wall fence,broke the main door and stole the items.

This occured on 09th August, 2022 between 01:00 and 06:00 hours which was the time of discovery by domestic workers of second street in ibex hill Lusaka .

Police visited the scene of crime and it was noted that criminals gained by cutting the electrical wire fence on the eastern side and its believed to be the same used as an exit .At the crime scene only one stand has been found in the next yard.

Police have instituted investigations into the matter.

Bus operators in Ndola District on the Copperbelt have fought running battles with police after they protested over the recently reduced bus fares as announced by the Road Transport and Safety Agency.

The aggrieved bus operators who have since downed tools blocked traffic at Mulungushi and Chisokone bus stations to stop any bus from leaving the stations while buses between Kitwe and Luanshya are also not loading in protest of the K7 downward adjustment on inter-mine/peri-urban routes.

Following the recent reduction of fuel pump prices by the energy regulation board which has resulted in the reduction of bus fares between K5 and K7, the bus operators are not happy with this move and are proposing a reduction of about K2.50 unlike a K5 which they say is too high.

The operators later become unruly after Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali tried to address them and started throwing stones.

And those talked to by Phoenix News are demanding that authorities allow them to maintain the current fares or have the recently announced fared reduced by a minimal amount.

And Transport Minister Frank Tayali said he has noted the concerns of the bus operators which he says will be addressed.

Road Transport and Safety Agency Head-Public Relations Fredrick Mubanga says the recently announced bus fares still stand but has disclosed that the agency will engage the operators this afternoon on the forward over the bus fares.

Earlier, Bus operators defied the recent reduction in bus fares and have continued implementing the old bus fares saying the new fares are not in the best interest of their business.

A check by Phoenix News at various bus stations in Lusaka has revealed that passengers are still paying the old fares as bus operators are rejecting any amount that reflects the newly approved fares.

Some bus operators have wondered how bus fares have been reduced by an excessive K5 which is not profitable on their part when fuel pump prices were reduced by about K3.

The operators have complained that the bus fares announced by the road transport and safety agency and the current fuel prices are not in harmony as reducing fares will be loss making on their part and have since appealed to relevant authorities to reconsider the revised fares.

Meanwhile some commuters talked to have confirmed that they are still paying the old fares, and are calling on the authorities to quickly deal with the matter and strike a balance if possible for them to enjoy the benefits of reduced fuel prices.

Yesterday, Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali said the revised bus fares are non-negotiable and called on relevant institutions to deal with those refusing to implement the new bus fares.

The Road Transport and Safety Agency has announced a reduction in bus fares owing to the drop in fuel pump prices, with intercity long distance reducing by 14 percent, copperbelt local and other towns reduced by K5, Lusaka local and other towns reduced by K5, while inter-mine and peri-urban saw a reduction of K7.