Conduct by a group of young men in Lilongwe who parade the way female prostitutes do in the streets selling their bodies to potential clients at night has raised eye-brows.

An eye witness, who saw this happening at Bwandilo in the city some three weeks ago, said the young men put on large overcoats without proper clothing inside, usually only boxer shorts and vests.

"What happened was that we met these guys at Bwandilo three weeks ago when we were coming from a drinking place. What surprised us was the fact that as soon as they saw us they started removing their clothes to show us their bodies.

"When we asked what was the meaning of what they were doing they told us to get lost if we were not interested and that we were disturbing potential clients," said the eye witness.

He claimed these young men can still be found around Bwandilo. The eye witness said he was confused as to who were the targeted clients.

"I am not sure who their main clients are. At first sight I thought they were looking for men but maybe they were looking for sugar mummies. And some people warned us that they could be thieves," he said.

Homosexuality is a controversial matter in the country such that gays and lesbians consummate their relationship in secret.

Reports reaching The Weekend Times indicate that some young men are eking-out a living with this new craze in the capital.

However, Central Region Police spokesperson John Namalenga expressed ignorance of the phenomenon, saying Police were not aware of the development. He said Police would investigate to find out what was happening.

"To be honest with you, this is the first time I am hearing this. So it is difficult for me to make any comment about these people are but since you have alerted us we will investigate the matter and see where this matter will take us to," he said.

Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP) Executive Director Gift Trapence also said he was not aware of the phenomenon. He too said CEDEP would investigate the issue.

"The only people I know who parade along the streets are female sex workers. And, of course, I know of young men who entice sugar mummies in newspapers but men standing along streets is news to me. I need to find out more," said Trapence whose organisation fights for the rights of minorities including homosexuals and sex workers.

In another development, some young men have been advertising themselves in newspapers. The Lonely Hearts page of The Sunday Times has been carrying notices of young men looking for sugar mummies who have money to pay them for sex.