Pubdate: Mon, 21 Jan 2008
Source: Star, The (South Africa)
Copyright: Independent Newspapers 2008
Contact:  http://www.thestar.co.za/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/423
Author: Sharlene Packree

ARSONISTS TARGET ANTI-DRUG ACTIVISTS

Desmond D'Sa's burn scars will forever remind him of  the forces
opposed to Wentworth's anti-drug and crime  campaign.

On Friday, D'Sa's Austerville flat was targeted by  petrol
bomb-wielding arsonists.

In a desperate bid to put out the flames that  threatened the lives of
his wife and two daughters,  D'Sa suffered burns to his hands and face.

On Sunday, the smell of petrol still lingered in the  air as D'Sa
inspected his home.

The latest attack is the third on the home of an  anti-drug campaigner
in the area and D'Sa fears that  drug lords are using intimidation to
get his  organisation to back down.

The Wentworth development forum believes that their  vocal campaigns
against the high crime rate and drug  abuse in the community has
impacted significantly on  drug sales in the area and is seen as a
threat to the  livelihoods of drug merchants.

Wentworth police spokesperson Sergeant Balan Reddy  confirmed that
three cases of arson were being  investigated.

The sale of drugs in the community has been a serious  concern for
many years.

In 2004, President Thabo Mbeki visited the area as part  of his
election campaign and community members told him  prostitution and
drug abuse were rife.

D'Sa is well-known for his strong views on drugs, crime  and
environmental pollution in the south Durban basin.

While he was injured in the arson attack, D'Sa said he  would not
succumb to the intimidation of drug dealers.

He told the Daily News: "We have started a foot patrol  where we 
monitor the kids at school. We are making sure  that these kids have 
no access to drugs. They are going  to school to learn and not peddle drugs."

Another activist, Cynthia Billings, was also a victim  of an arson
attack.

Billings said a petrol bomb was thrown into her flat  and the
resulting fire damaged her furniture and other  appliances.

Police opened a case of arson, but no arrests were
made.

"These drug lords know they can't sell their drugs when  we are
around. This obviously affects their business,  so they want to shut
us up," she said.

Billings said D'Sa and other activists who spoke out  about these
social issues were seen as a major threat  to criminals and drug peddlers.

"They see us as a threat and they think they can stop  us continuing
our work. But we won't stop fighting to  clean up the area," she added.

D'Sa said some residents knew the identities of the  arsonists, but
were too scared to speak out for fear of  reprisals.

"People are living in fear here. Some are too scared to  speak out,
while others are harbouring these criminals,  who buy them food and
clothing," he said.

D'sa said drug dealers marked out specific areas and  used teenagers
to sell the drugs and carry out arson  attacks.

"We are saddled with big drug dealers who are linked to  other
criminal elements. They need to be dealt with,"  he said. "But, we are
not scared of them." The Sheffer  family have also been victims of
intimidation by gangs  in the area.

Two weeks ago, two men smashed seven windows in their  flat while the
family was asleep.

The gang also tried to set the place alight, but were
unsuccessful.

Wesley Sheffer said: "It's not easy to live in fear.  There is no help
from the police, who keep losing  dockets and fail to investigate the
attacks," he said.

Sheffer and his family have even resorted to living at  a relative's
home after fears that the gang might  return.

Local councillor Aubrey Snyman said D'Sa is being  targeted because of
his strong views on social issues.
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