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South African news reporter caught on camera being mugged by 'armed' thieves

SABC contributing editor, Vuyo Mvoko, was just about to go live for the evening news when he and his crew were mugged

Jack Simpson
Wednesday 11 March 2015 13:48 GMT
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Vuyo Mvoko said that he was threatened by an armed man during the incident
Vuyo Mvoko said that he was threatened by an armed man during the incident (YouTube)

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A news reporter for one of South Africa’s biggest broadcasters was mugged at gunpoint moments before he was about to go live on the channel’s evening news bulletin.

SABC contributing editor, Vuyo Mvoko, was standing outside Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening, ready to provide a report on the hospitalisation of the Zambian President, when he and his crew were approached by what appeared to be three thieves.

Mvoko can be heard on the microphone telling the studio, "We are being mugged, we are being mugged."

According to Mvoko, he had his phone in his hand after speaking to the executive producer when the men approached. After refusing to give one of the men his phone, he said that the man called over his accomplice who threatened Mvoko with a gun.

Speaking to SABC News, Mvoko said that after repeated threats, crew members urged him to hand the phone over. The thieves quickly ran off down a nearby road.

The two thieves were unaware that the robbery was caught on camera (YouTube)
The two thieves were unaware that the robbery was caught on camera (YouTube) (YouTube/)

Mvoko added: “It was drama, but all in a day’s work.”

The police said efforts were made to try and track down the pair after the incident but these proved unsuccessful.

An investigation into the theft has now been opened, with police vowing to catch the men and bring them to justice.

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