daniel chigunwe
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
Harare is probably the only city where apologies come with a hidden price.
When a young lad bumps into you on the street and utters the word “sorry”, this may not be the humble apology it appears to be, but a precursor to a cleverly orchestrated heist, a subtle warning that your valuables are about to disappear.
It is arguably the only city where sorry does not always mean sorry and that is the place where a stranger’s handshake may feel genuine but it can quickly turn into a heart-wrenching goodbye to your hard earned cash, precious cell phones or other treasured belongings.
Welcome to Harare, where trust is a luxury few can afford, and vigilance is the only currency that matters.
Expert pickpockets have turned into their playground hotspots like Joseph Msika Street (formerly Cameron Street), Chinhoyi Street, Harare Street, the Copacabana area, Gulf Complex, and the pavements around the private car park between Sir Seretse Khama Street and Mayor Urimbo Terrace near the Harare Main Post Office.
A careless moment, a friendly handshake, or a sympathetic “sorry” could be all it takes for these stealthy thieves to strike, leaving you with empty pockets and a valuable lesson learned.
The Herald yesterday took a stroll through the busiest areas in central Harare, observing and gathering insights into the tactics employed by these cunning thieves.
“Parents, don’t congest this road! You will soon find yourself crying, (Vabereki musavhara road, muchachema manje manje,” The Herald stumbled upon a vendor at the busy corner of Robert Mugabe Road and Joseph Msika Street.
The vendor, who only preferred to be identified as Amai Ano, was shouting on top of her voice trying to alert pedestrians how pickpockets may purposefully collide with them, using the moment of distraction to steal items from their pockets before making off with their valuables.
“Stay alert, keep your valuables secure,” she kept shouting and this has become her daily routine as she cautions pedestrians about the dangers of distracted walking, especially when engrossed in window shopping or glued to their phones.
For a woman who spends the whole day, from as early as 8am until nightfall selling soft drinks and other wares, nothing misses her eye at the corner of Joseph Msika Street and Robert Mugabe Road.
Hundreds of people pass by her corner on any given day, going about their business while she serves customers that buy corn snacks, sweets, soft drinks and cigarettes.
Mai Ano cannot count on both hands the number of times she witnesses pedestrians falling prey to pickpockets.
“It happens so often, I have lost count,” Mai Ano said, shaking her head. “People lose wallets, phones, and even large sums of money,” she added.
Mai Ano, a vigilant vendor, declined to be photographed or interviewed on camera, citing security concerns.
However, she remained committed to keeping a watchful eye on the crowds, warning potential victims about the lurking dangers.
“Be cautious of strangers, even those who seem friendly,” she advised.
“In Harare, a warm greeting or a hug can be a distraction for pickpocketing. Stay alert and keep your valuables secure.”
She is not the only vendor who is alerting travellers about pick pockets but several other vendors with a keen eye and a loud voice will be alerting pedestrians to the potential threats.
The Herald also spoke to Donald Foroma, a student at the University of Zimbabwe, who had a harrowing experience with the thieves near Gulf Complex.
“It happens in the blink of an eye,” Foroma said, recounting his ordeal. “Someone suddenly appeared, stepped on my foot, and hugged me, all while apologising profusely. In that brief moment, my wallet containing $300 disappeared, and the distractors vanished into the crowd.”
He lamented, “My rent money was gone, vanished without a trace.”
According to neuroscientists, brains are not equipped to multi-task, and street pickpockets exploit this weakness to their advantage by creating situations that overwhelm people’s attentiveness.
Neuroscientists say a classic trick used by pickpocketing gangs worldwide is the “stall,” where a “blocker” walks in front of the victim (or “mark”) and suddenly stops, causing the mark to bump into them.
Another gang member, close behind, bumps into both of them and starts a staged argument with the blocker. Amidst the confusion, one or both of them steal what they can and pass it to a third gang member, who quickly escapes with the loot.
Harare pickpockets appear to have mastered this art.
Online Reporter