JOHANNESBURG, July 20: A South African radio reporter went a little more live than anticipated on Tuesday when he was mugged on air for his cellphone.

Regan Thaw of the Johannesburg area Talk Radio 702 was about to deliver an on-site report from a local squatter settlement when one of the locals pulled a gun on him.

"I asked him a question but got no response, I just heard shuffling and muffled voices in the background," said 702 news editor Katy Katopodis, who was on air with Thaw at the time.

"He had a gun held to his head and he was told 'give me your phone' ... (the man) threatened to kill Regan if he didn't hand over the phone and his belongings." Thaw complied and the show went on - without his report. -Reuters