THOHOYANDOU – A self confessed criminal who is facing charges of armed robbery and double murder advises the youth to stay away from crime.

Thomas Nematswerani (33) of Muledane Block J was arrested early in July 2000 for armed robbery. He was released on R10 000 bail on May 4, 2002 and was rearrested on May 20, for armed robbery and double murder.

He was released in August 2002 on a R2 000 bail. He was arrested again on October 22 the same year, for armed robbery. He was released on R5 000 bail late December last year.

Nematswerani appeared before the court on December 27 and January 26 where his cases were postponed to February 24, 26 and 27 this year. His cases will be heard in Vuwani, the Thohoyandou High Court and the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court.

Nematswerani, who claims to have become a devoted Christian since his release in December last year, said he was remorseful about the alleged crimes he committed. He said he was prepared to face his charges and serve any sentence he might be given by the court, as he can see that he did wrong.

His main concern, he said, is that there are many youth who take criminals as role models, which is bad. "I am not pleading for mercy here. I just want to use this opportunity to warn youth that crime does not pay. Our youth must know that if you commit crime, your home is in prison, or you will be confined to a wheelchair or die before your natural death," said Nematswerani.

Nematswerani said he was involved in crime after he was recruited by a police officer that was investigating a syndicate of people who were specialising in armed robbery. "I joined this group in order to get information for the police. However, I failed to go back and give information to the police as the money these guys were making hooked me. Although I kept on telling myself that I will stop, I became too much involved until when I was arrested," said Nematswerani who was an electrician who specialised in fixing cell phones before his arrest.

Police spokesperson, Captain Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said it was good that Nematswerani was not selfish to tell the community about the bad side of committing crime. As the police, Mushavhanamadi said they want the community especially the youth to know and understand that crime does not pay.