Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
BULAWAYO residents are in a state of panic after health authorities revealed a surge in fake weight loss pills sweeping the city’s informal markets. The so-called “miracle slimming capsules” have been linked to severe stomach complications, dizziness, and, in some extreme cases, hospitalisation.
People are being admitted to local hospitals in the past month after taking pills purchased from unlicensed vendors at markets in Nkulumane, Pelandaba, and Main Street. Authorities say the pills contain undisclosed chemicals that pose serious health risks.
“The public must be extremely cautious. These pills are not registered by the Medicines Control Authority. They contain harmful substances that can damage the liver and kidneys,” warned a health practitioner from the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), who cannot be named for professional reasons.
According to victims, the promise of shedding pounds in a week was irresistible. One woman, who asked not to be named, told B-Metro she lost 2kg in five days but ended up in hospital with severe dehydration and constant vomiting. “I thought it was safe because it’s being sold everywhere. Now I can’t stop shaking and my stomach is in terrible pain,” she said, visibly shaken.
The pills are marketed aggressively on social media, with slick adverts claiming “fast results” and “no diet, no exercise.” Vendors have taken to WhatsApp and Facebook groups, posting before-and-after photos of supposedly satisfied customers. But health experts say many of the images are fake or heavily edited.
Law enforcement has now joined the hunt for the illegal distributors. “We are working with the police to track down these vendors. They are exploiting people’s insecurities and greed,” said a senior official at the Bulawayo City Council. Police raids are ongoing, but the illicit trade is proving difficult to dismantle because sellers constantly move locations and operate through social media.
Meanwhile, social media influencers have come under fire for promoting the pills without verification. Critics argue that influencers are profiting from the dangerous trend, luring followers into risky behaviour. Some of the promoters have already been reported to authorities for misleading advertising.
Nutritionists are urging residents to return to basics: “There are no shortcuts to healthy weight loss. Proper diet, exercise, and consultation with certified professionals are the only safe ways to lose weight,” said Nqobile Dube, a Bulawayo-based nutritionist.
With the festive season approaching, the urgency has escalated. Authorities fear that more people will fall for the promises of “quick fixes” in the coming weeks. Health officials are calling on the public to report suspicious products and vendors to curb the spread of dangerous substances.
The city is gripped by fear and suspicion. Every capsule sold on the street is viewed with scepticism, and residents are forced to question whether the promise of a slim body is worth risking their health. The sugar rush may give a temporary thrill, but the fallout could be long-lasting and deadly.
B-Metro will continue following this story as authorities attempt to stamp out the illegal trade and protect vulnerable residents.
