South African news reporter mugged while cameras were rolling

Just moments before giving a news broadcast to the nation, South African reporter Vuyo Mvoko was mugged in front of the camera.

Standing on a roadside outside Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg yesterday evening, the SABC contributing editor and his crew were approached by a group of armed men.

While they first resisted handing over their valuables, the crew soon handed over mobile phones, laptops and money once it became clear one of the men had a gun.

Fortunately no one was hurt, and while the perpetrators did get away, the police investigation should at least be made easier by the compelling video evidence they are left with.

Speaking of his experience on SABC later in the evening, Mvoko explained his shock that the men had the gall to attack him while the camera was rolling.

This person comes and I'm like 'hey, what's your problem', you know? And then there were all these strangers I didn't know. But I was thinking, who could possibly disturb me while they know we are literally seconds before going on air?

But this guy, he was trying to look for my phone and I wasn't giving him the phone and then he calls the other one who has a gun. So at that point I gave him the phone and he took a laptop.

• Vuyo Mvoko

According to the Mail & Guardian, the robbery brings to light the sad reality that many in South Africa have to face each day.

"Every South African lives with the reality of crime, but to see thugs brazenly ignoring television cameras and robbing media workers in the course of their work, yet again brings home the level of criminality in our society," the paper explains in its report.

Watch the full incident below:

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