KHUBVI - A young and promising athlete has become an instant hero, after he helped in arresting a suspected criminal and handed him over to the police last week.

Moses Fhatuwani Mudau (23) of Khubvi Village, near Mutale, arrested a 17-year-old youth of Tshikweta last week Friday, for allegedly stealing a paving machine at Makwarela.

Moses says he was in a taxi from Thohoyandou to Makwarela when he saw several old women running after the culprit, while screaming for help. "I immediately asked the driver to stop and started to chase the suspect. Fortunately, I caught him and handed him to the police."

Police spokesperson, Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi confirmed the incident and praised Moses for a job well done. Mushavhanamadi appealed to other community members, especially the youth to do what Moses has done.

"As police, we are very proud of this young man. If all the community members could have the same understanding about fighting crime, then our area will be crime free. We cannot be everywhere at all times. So we can't fight crime alone, therefore we need people's hands."

This was not for the first time that Moses helped in arresting criminals. In 2000, when he was on his way from a marathon in Durban, Moses helped a hawker by arresting a 26-year-old suspect, who allegedly used a firearm to rob her off her money. The incident happened in Thohoyandou.

In November 2001, Moses arrested a suspected rapist while walking on his way from the University of Venda. The suspect allegedly committed the crime in Thohoyandou P West. Moses also arrested a suspected criminal at Technikon Northern Gauteng in 1998. He said he first thought of doing something against crime after seeing two men stealing cars while in Durban some years back, while he was participating in a marathon.

Moses, a member of Protea Club who was involved in athletics since he was young said he advises the youth to use their talent to fight poverty and create jobs for themselves instead of stealing.