Technology13.03.2015

Four arrested for SABC mugging

By SAPA

Four people have been arrested in connection with the robbery of SABC journalists outside Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg this week, Gauteng police said on Friday.

“Two of the suspects have been positively linked to the robbery while two others were arrested for allegedly buying some of the goods stolen taken from the SABC team during the robbery,” Colonel Noxolo Kweza said.

The four were arrested on Thursday night.

Journalist Chriselda Lewis was preparing for a live crossing on Tuesday night after covering the arrival of Zambian President Edgar Lungu at the hospital. The cameras were rolling and the faces of the muggers were clearly visible.

SABC contributing editor Vuyo Mvoko said later in an SABC interview that one of the men threatened him with a gun when he did not immediately give up his cellphone.

Video footage showing two men accosting Mvoko as he waits to deliver his report in front of the camera went viral on YouTube.

Kweza said none of those arrested was South African.

The police were in the process of identifying the property recovered with the victims.

“As you all know, that their faces were on TV and also that we offered a reward of R100,000, that assisted a lot during our investigations.”

Kweza expressed gratitude to those who gave police information following appeals for help with the investigation.

“This breakthrough could not have materialised without the assistance and the partnership we have with the communities.

“We are appealing to anybody who might have been robbed or attacked in the vicinity of Milpark Hospital to come forward. Some of those items might be belonging to those people.”

Kweza said the four would appear in court on Monday, but could not immediately confirm which court.