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Johannesburg – A Ghanaian hairstylist duo, long considered the kings of weaves in Joburg, has fallen from grace.
David Mensah and Dennis Agyepong have woven their mastery on some of the most glamorous heads in local showbiz.
But this week they were dramatically dismissed from Diva Divine, a popular company that supplies Indian, Brazilian and Malaysian hair, extensions and wigs.
In a short statement issued to the media and their customers, Diva Divine chief executive Gavin Stollar said the men stood accused of “a conflict of interest and serious irregularities”.
“Diva Divine has been left with no alternative but to dismiss Mensah and Agyepong with immediate effect. As a result, they are neither employed nor do they represent Diva Divine in any capacity whatsoever.”
The stylists’ clientele included TV darlings Bonang Matheba, Lerato Kganyago, Pam Andrews, Lorna Maseko and Sinazo Yolwa. Generations star Sophie Ndaba has also had her tresses styled by the pair, along with model Shashi Naidoo and Strictly Come Dancing runner-up Lalla Hirayama.
Stollar confirmed that the two men, who worked for Diva Divine for five years, were dismissed after an investigation in which it allegedly emerged they had been selling Diva Divine’s weaves for their own benefit and had even installed their own card machine for processing transactions.
Stollar said that the pair failed a lie detector test. By Friday afternoon, they hadn’t laid any charges with the police yet.
The price for a weave, which lasts up to three months, can be anything between R2 500 and R10 000. It is believed the men have started their own business.
Top Billing’s Maseko said she didn’t know the details.
“I just want to have my hair done. I don’t know the drama, but I know if someone doesn’t deliver the service I will move to the next salon.”
Generations’ Ndaba said she hadn’t seen the hairstylists in months. “I don’t have much to say, except they are talented and did a good job.”
Attempts to reach Agyepong and Mensah for comment were unsuccessful.
