Three men have died this month alone after allegedly taking tablets or drinks believed to boost sexual performance, with Blantyre registering the latest case.
The latest victim is a 48-year-old businessman from Zomba who collapsed inside a Blantyre rest house, adding to a string of similar deaths that have shocked the country and sparked concerns over the use of unregulated sexual enhancement products.
White Sani, from Masula Village in Traditional Authority Mlumbe, died after collapsing at Ketekete Rest House in Chirimba while with his girlfriend.
Blantyre Police Assistant Public Relations Officer Doris Mwitha said Sani was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital after police were alerted, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to Mwitha, a postmortem conducted at Chiradzulu District Hospital Mortuary indicated that Sani died from cardiac arrest suspected to have been triggered by the use of sexual enhancement drugs.
Police said the businessman had booked a room with his girlfriend before the incident.
His death comes barely a week after 30-year-old mechanic Blessings Nkhuwa died at a lodge in Lumbadzi, Lilongwe, after allegedly consuming tablets believed to enhance sexual performance.
Lumbadzi Police spokesperson Felix Kwinyani said Nkhuwa started gasping for air shortly after checking into the lodge with a female companion. He was rushed to Blessings Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police recovered two boxes of suspected sexual enhancement tablets, Kifaru 50 and Kifaru 100. One box was empty while another had one tablet missing.
Earlier this month, Bernado Khinda Chilichawo also died during sexual intercourse at a lodge in Dowa after reportedly taking and drinking a suspected manpower booster moments before collapsing.
The three incidents have fuelled public concern over the increasing use of sexual performance enhancers and why the reported fatalities are all involving men.
Meanwhile, social media users, have reacted with alarm to the recent deaths, with many urging men to stop using unverified sexual enhancement tablets and drinks.
Some warned that the pressure to prove masculinity could be costing lives, while others encouraged couples to prioritize health and open communication over risky performance boosters.
Others called for authorities and health experts to step in with public awareness campaigns, arguing that many people may be unaware of the dangers associated with such products.
