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.