[imagesource:wikicommons]

Forget about handbags, you’d better hang on to your weave when out in Cape Town and Joburg as an increase in expensive weave-snatching is being reported.

Human hair wigs are being snatched by thieves who have been targeting ladies at taxi ranks, on the streets, and even at university campuses.

One of the victims who recently had a hair-raising experience is Felicia Mazibuko, who said she and the would-be thief had a “fierce showdown over who would claim the head wrap”.

“I just thought like, oh gosh, they’re going take my handbag, but they didn’t. It was so traumatic and so dehumanising sitting inside a taxi with my hair looking like a mess. I couldn’t cry in the taxi, but I cried when I got home. It was very traumatic. It’s not a nice experience. It’s funny now.”

Hair may seem like an unlikely thing to steal, but Maizibuko’s weave cost her R1,600. Another victim, Zandile Magagula, said her 22-inch, Grade 13 Brazilian hair cost her R3,300.

Mamello Makha, the owner of Mamello Makha Exotic Beauty Salon, who operates a chain of salons across Johannesburg and sells premium human hair wigs, says weaves are a valuable item.

“One of my employees has experienced the same thing. Fortunately, her wig was locked. We sewed it in onto her head, so that’s how she survived. It can damage your hairline if they pull it too much,” she warned.

“Clients have told me about their wigs being stolen before they can reach the taxi rank,” she said. High-grade wigs are also more coveted in the underground market.

“The cost of hair is directly tied to its grade. Higher grades fetch a higher price and offer more versatility in styling.”

Meanwhile, in Hanover Park in Cape Town, Community Policing Forum (CPF) spokesperson Kashiefa Mohammed said they were concerned about an increase in wig snatching.

The CPF was told about a woman who was making her way to the nearby taxi rank from work last week when a thug grabbed the wig off her head. The woman opened a case at the Philippi police station.

In a voice note sent to News24, a woman described how a thief ran past and snatched the wig off a woman’s head.

“Did anyone see someone run past with hair?” she asks. “He grabbed someone’s hair off her head at the terminus and then he ran. Did no one perhaps see the person? He had a black hoodie jacket on and took an African woman’s hair.”

The CPF has to now warn women to be on the lookout for criminals stealing wigs.

[source:news24]