Why the hell are men and women prepared to poison themselves for sex?

Lazarus Sauti

Tim Marufu uses Congo dust, a sex enhancing drug from the Democratic Republic of Congo, to prolong his erection.

He said the aphrodisiac, which is rubbed on the male organ, results in lengthy sex rounds.

“NeCongo dust unoanchor mudhara, unochimhanya (With Congo dust you can enjoy length sex sessions).

“Uyu mushonga wechikwapuro; ukangozora chete simbi yako inozhamba (This drug is powerful. If you properly apply it, your partner will cry in bed),” said Marufu, adding that “the powder prolongs an erection for up to an hour if applied correctly.”

Explaining how Congo dust works, he says, “You just take a pinch and rub it at the tip of your organ at least three hours before being intimate.”

During the process of an erection, he added, the penis enlarges and stiffens as a result of changes within muscles, nerves and blood vessels of the organ.

Marabha, a vendor who sells Congo dust at Cnr. 7^th and Samora Ave in Harare, says Congo dust comes in many varieties and a sachet can be used for two or three times depending on the size of the organ.

“Matypes ese aripo mukoma. Mari yenyu chete. Unogona kushandisa sachet kaviri kana katatu zvichienderana nenhengo yako (All types are available my brother and prices range from a $1 to $3).

“You can use a sachet for two or three times depending on the size of your organ,” said the gap-toothed vendor, refusing to disclose his source of the powder as it is smuggled into the country.”

Marabha adds that Congo dust comes in women’s variety.

“Madhiri eCongo dust anocover kwese, kuvarume nekuvakadzi. Hapana chekuchema (Everyone is covered as Congo dust comes in women’s variety too,” he said.

Marabha added, “Most of my clients are commercial sex workers who operate in the Avenues areas. They apply the powdery substance on their vaginas to tighten them for maximum pleasure for their clients.”

One commercial sex workers, who identifies herself as Marry, admits she uses Congo dust to tighten her vagina and lure more clients.

“Handidi kubhaiza, pandakatanga kushandisa Congo dust kudzora, varume vakuita kundimomotera (I don’t want to lie. Since I started using Congo dust to tighten my private parts, my clientele base increased,” she said.

Although most men and women use Congo dust to satisfy their sexual desires, they seem not to understand that they are poisoning themselves.

Medical practitioner Dr Tapiwa Karumbiswa admits: “Through the use of unapproved substances such as Congo dust, most people are poisoning themselves. These substances have long-term effects that can kill users slowly,” he said.

Dr Karumbiswa is spot on as the biggest drawback of using Congo dust, especially in men, is that one would not have to use protection during sexual intercourse, a fact that also seriously worries the National Aids Council – an organisation enacted through the Act of Parliament of 1999 to coordinate and facilitate the national multi-sectoral response to HIV and Aids.

“We are very worried about this drug – Congo dust – which does not only cause bodily harm through the drying effects of the drug on the female genital, but promotes the spread of HIV and Aids in the long run,” NAC said.

Dr Nelson Ngwaru of the National Alliance of Zimbabwe (NAZ) also warns that the use of substances such as Congo dust can affect women.

“It is possible for Congo dust and other illegal sex-enhancement drugs to cause cervical cancer among female counterparts since the powdery substance will be disposed inside a female reproductive trek,” he noted.

Dr Ngwaru added: “We have had several cases where women develop cervical cancer after inserting herbs as well as foreign substances into their private organs and as such we discourage women from allowing foreign substances into their reproductive treks.”

Ngoni Chingwana, the Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe (DAZ) national chairman, concurs:

“The use of substances that quicken the flow of blood in the system eventually triggers chronic conditions such as high blood pressure as well as heart problems. Accordingly, people should desist from using substances such as Congo dust as they pose serious health problems.”

The dust from Congo, used by many to poison their bodies, has since been condemned by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) – a statutory body responsible for protecting public and animal health by ensuring that accessible medicines and allied substances and medical devices are safe, effective and of good quality through enforcement of adherence to standards by manufacturers and distributors.