adminTinomuda Chakanyuka Sunday News Reporter
HONEY Moon Congo Dust, an aphrodisiac believed to have properties that enable men to prolong the sexual act has become a hit in Hwange, as illegal medicines and substances continue to flood the country’s black market, Sunday News observed.As the name suggests, Congo Dust is a powdery mixture of herbs that is manufactured in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is reportedly smuggled into the country by haulage truck drivers.
There is also a variety of the dust for women, which according to some users who were interviewed mostly commercial sex workers, tightens a woman’s private parts in an apparent attempt to give pleasure to their male counterparts.
A recent visit to Hwange showed that the dust was mostly being sold at Truckers Inn, and used mainly by haulage truck drivers as well as commercial sex workers who operate at the inn. Truck drivers, who spoke to the Sunday News, admitted to smuggling and using the dust.
The aphrodisiac is used as a remedy for men who have problems with premature ejaculation as it can make one last close to an hour of sexual intercourse.
The drivers said the dust is rubbed on one’s organ for the desired effect, while the women’s variety of the dust was also rubbed generously on the private parts to tighten the region.
Directions for use are inscribed on the sachet and suggest that the dust be rubbed generously before use.
“All will be quiet but when action time comes, ooh! You will see. For external use only. Honey moon is good. No harm to diabetic or BP patients, use it, just take advantage. No side effects,” reads part of the inscription on the packet.
A packet of either the male or female variety of the aphrodisiac is sold for $1 locally.
“It works wonders my brother. If you apply it properly your woman will not complain. You will go beyond one hour of intercourse. If you have challenges with premature ejaculation and your woman is complaining try it and she will tell you a different story.
“I have been using it for the past three months and I tell you it’s been working wonders for me. I believe my wife is one of the most sexually satisfied women. I buy it from DRC when I go there on my work trips and ever since I started using it I have introduced it to a couple of friends who have testified that it works magic,” said a truck driver who, however, declined to be named.
Another trucker, who also requested not to be named, weighed in: “The dust has become a hit here in Hwange and we now supplement our earnings by selling it to other men in Hwange. I stay in Bulawayo but I regularly pass through Hwange on my way to Zambia on business. Each time I have a trip I have a lot of orders from men who use it.”
Some commercial sex workers, who operate at Truckers Inn in the coal mining town, said they applied the dust on their privates to tighten the region, as most of their clients wanted it that way.
“The dust works a little less than virginity soap. It only goes as far as tightening one’s private parts. We use it because most men prefer women with privates that are a little tight and dry. It’s the best way to retain your clients and some of these truck drivers who sell the dust to us hire our services and prefer those of us who use it,” said a commercial sex worker who only identified herself as Gina.
It, however, emerged that the biggest disadvantage of using the dust especially in men was that one would not have to use protection during sexual intercourse after applying the medicine.
Such prescription exposes users of the dust to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections like HIV.
“You can’t use it with a condom if you want it to work effectively. It has to be unprotected sex my brother,” remarked a truck driver.
Asked if they consented to unprotected sex with clients who use the dust, commercial workers said they only entertained their regular clients on such requests, with whom they would have developed a trust, and charge them more.
“It’s not everyone that I have unprotected sex with. I have one or two regular clients who use the dust and with whom I don’t use protection. Yes, there are chances of contracting STIs but it’s business and one has to take a risk. Of course we charge more for unprotected sex and these regular clients are usually generous and pay more,” said Gina.
The commercial sex workers said they normally charge between $25 and $30 for an all night session when the client is using protection but the charge doubles to between $50 and $60 for the “trusted” regulars who use Congo dust and do not use protection.
Matabeleland North provincial medical director Dr Nyasha Masuka said his office had not received any reports on the sale of the dust in Hwange, adding that he would send his officers to investigate the matter, after which action would be taken.
Dr Masuka discouraged members of the public from using unregistered medicines, which he said could have serious side effects.
“I will task our health officer in Hwange to look into the matter after which we will activate the normal systems and institute investigations. It’s unfortunate that unregistered medicines continue to be smuggled into the country and people use them oblivious of the associated risks.
“From a medical perspective I would like to advise people against using such medicines that have not been clinically tested. There are proper medicines that can be used to help with sexual problems and people should simply visit qualified health practitioners for assistance,” he said.
Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe spokesperson Mr Richard Rukwata said the authority acknowledged that there was a thriving illegal market of medicines and was now working with the Criminal Investigations Department Drug Section to clamp down on culprits.
“It’s a criminal offence to sell unregistered drugs or any kind of substances that have medicinal properties. We are working with the police to map out an effective strategy of dealing with these traders. We will investigate those issues and take appropriate action,” he said.
Some of the drugs that are being smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries include ARVs, life saving drugs which require Section 75 clearance, sex enhancing drugs as well as intoxicating drugs such as heroin.
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