Weave store owners and neighbourhood watch members have expressed concern over the recent spate of weave thefts in some areas in George.
In recent weeks, neighbourhood watch patrol units received several complaints, especially from students and beauty salon owners, about theft of artificial hair.
The units said the thefts followed a series of robberies in George last year where criminals stole dreadlocks and earrings.
Most dreadlock robbery incidents occurred in secluded spots in Lawaaikamp, Thembalethu and Parkdene.
Now the focus has turned to expensive weaves.
A 43-year-old beauty store owner from Lawaaikamp, who wished to remain anonymous, said robbers
had snatched a number of costly hair packages from her shop earlier this month.
“Three men entered the shop and grabbed a few packages of Brazilian and Peruvian weaves from the racks and ran away. Stolen hair is sold at cheap prices on the street and to backyard stylists,” she said.
She added that weave prices ranged between R800 and R1200, depending on the type, brand and quality of the hair.
Clothing store employee Noni Sihuma, 25, described falling victim to a weave theft.
“I was returning from a friend when two men approached me. They pushed me aside and robbed me of my weave at knife point. I paid R1150 to do my hair and all that money is gone,” Sihuma said.
A few human hair robbery incidents have been reported to the police in recent months. File photo
Thembalethu neighbourhood watch member Nelson Sifungo said: “It really concerns us and we wish
to encourage people to come
forward and we will assist in making sure these incidents are reported to the police.”
Thembalethu police spokesperson Captain Dumile Gwavu said that few human hair robbery incidents had been reported to the police in recent months.
“Police are urging people to come forward and assist with the arrest of these criminals,” he said.