Joburg metro cop empties out BBC cricket commentators' pockets at a roadblock
An officer from the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) caught BBC Test Match commentator Jonathan Agnew driving without a licence.
According to The Telegraph Agnew was driving with three other commentators, former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan, Henry Blofeld and Simon Mann, when the cop caught him driving without a licence.
The officer threatened him with handcuffs and a trip to the local station, according to the report.
While the men ended up emptying their pockets (although he let Agnew keep R20) the commentator says he did not pay a bribe.
He made us empty our pockets and took the cash. Please do not suggest I bribed him. https://t.co/AJPO5r4tIp
— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) January 23, 2016
And he's a cricket lover. Asked who was winning as he trousered the cash.
— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) January 22, 2016
Still. Could have been worse. Officer kindly let me keep 20 Rand (85p) to see me through till Wednesday evening.
— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) January 22, 2016
Vaughan posted a picture of the altercation on Instagram, saying it did not look good for 'Aggers'.
Blofeld tweeted the altercation too.
@jommaxcricket Aggers under close arrest in Jo'burg last night! MVaughan in front, me in back!!! How are you both? pic.twitter.com/eWSfhQPUBx
— Henry Blofeld (@blowersh) January 23, 2016
According to IOL, JMPD spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said she didn’t have information about the alleged incident and they were relying on information from journalists.
“What I can say is that an internal investigation has been opened.”
However she told the Telegraph, "They will have to lodge a complaint officially for us to investigate."
A spokeswoman for the BBC said, “We can confirm that Jonathan Agnew was stopped by the police. He was not carrying his driving licence and paid a fine. We have nothing more to add."