By A Correspondent| Women in Harare are increasingly feeling unsafe walking through the city’s streets while wearing costly human hair wigs, as a wave of wig snatching incidents continues to escalate.
The central business district has become a hotspot for these brazen thefts, where criminals prey on unsuspecting women sporting authentic hairpieces. These stolen wigs are then resold at drastically reduced prices.
Reports suggest that the wig snatchers may be working with dishonest hairdressers to facilitate the resale of the stolen items.
“I always take off my wig when I pass through certain areas because I know there’s a group of wig snatchers operating here,” said one woman from Harare.
Another victim expressed her frustration: “The most upsetting part is that some of these wigs are very expensive, but the thieves sell them for a fraction of their worth.”
The emotional toll of these incidents is evident, with some women suffering physical injuries during the attacks. “It’s traumatizing. Imagine someone yanking your hair in the middle of the street. My friend was hurt after she fell while struggling with a wig snatcher,” recounted a resident.
Street children implicated in the wig-snatching operation have confirmed their involvement, explaining that older children typically carry out the thefts. “They steal the wigs and sell them to vendors at places like Copacabana for as little as US$2 or US$5,” one child explained.
Lizzie Chipunza, a wig specialist, noted that quality wigs hold significant resale value and offered tips on how to protect them from being stolen. “With original wigs, even if worn for up to three years, they can be restored to their original condition. Wigs range in price from US$20 to US$800, depending on the grade—Brazilian, Peruvian, Vietnamese, or double drawn. To avoid being a victim of wig snatching, women can use melting spray, installation belts, or bobby pins to secure the wig.”
As wig snatching becomes an increasing threat, women with a preference for expensive hairpieces are being urged to remain vigilant when navigating Harare’s streets.
-ZBC News