Hundreds of residents gathered outside the Homii apartment building in Durban on Monday to protest the death of eight-year-old Aphelele Dlamini and the severe injury of his twin sister, Aphile, who remains in hospital.
The children reportedly fell four floors down a lift shaft last weekend while playing with friends at the building on Joe Slovo Street.
According to East Coast Radio, the demonstration brought traffic to a standstill as protesters sang, danced, and chanted slogans demanding justice for the Dlamini twins.
Police officers maintained a heavy presence, though the protest remained peaceful. Residents said the tragedy was preventable, alleging that the lift had long been unsafe and that previous complaints to the building’s management were ignored.
Protesters also claimed that this was not the first fatal incident linked to a Homii property. “A woman died in a similar way two years ago,” one protester told journalists outside the building.
The Homii building’s management confirmed the incident and said it was cooperating with authorities. In a statement, the company expressed condolences to the Dlamini family and promised to assist with counselling and other support services.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the parents and their families during this incredibly difficult time,” Homii said, adding that the lift has been sealed off pending a full investigation.
The Dlamini family, who live in the same building, described their loss as “unbearable.”
In an interview with IOL, the twins’ father, Khaya Dlamini, said:
“We are traumatised and sadly still staying in the very same apartment. We see where our son died and where our daughter got injured every day.”
The family’s statement, released before Aphelele’s funeral, thanked the public for their support and solidarity. “Your voices, your outrage, and your unity have turned pain into purpose,” the statement read.
“Thank you for refusing to look away and for demanding justice”.
Funeral proceedings for Aphelele took place on Saturday, with mourners describing him as a “treasured son, brother, and friend.” His twin sister, Aphile, remains in critical condition at a local hospital, with family members saying they are praying for her recovery.
Calls for accountability have intensified as community leaders and residents urge the eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Labour to inspect all elevators in the city’s residential blocks.
Many have argued that lax enforcement of safety standards has created dangerous living conditions, especially in older or privately managed buildings.
A planned march to Homii’s head office in Durban was called off after organisers were denied permission, but protesters vowed to continue pressing for action.
“We won’t stop until someone is held responsible,” one demonstrator said.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements has since announced that it will review safety compliance certificates for multi-storey residential buildings in the province.
The department also urged residents to report safety concerns to local authorities.
