#JusticeForDlaminiTwins: Durban protest demands justice for twins after lift shaft death
Scores of people descended on the HOMii building on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street in Durban on Monday morning in protest of twins, who fell into a lift shaft on October 18, with the boy, Aphelele Dlamini dying at the scene and the girl, Aphile ended up in the coma at hospital.
The father of the children, Khaya Dlamini, told IOL that he wants accountability from HOMii in regard to the accident and demands CCTV footage.
“We need justice. We need to see the footage for ourselves. We want to know what happened to our children,” Dlamini said. “Law enforcement should play its part during this investigation. HOMii and its management should be held accountable, and their criminal ways should be exposed.”
Khaya Dlamini, father of the twins who fell into lift shaft at HOMii building calls for the company to take accountability.
Video: Xolile Mtembu pic.twitter.com/EWUs95zUiJ— IOL News (@IOL) October 27, 2025
Dlamini also expressed gratitude towards those who showed up to give support to the grieving family.
Protestors chanted that tenants should vacate the building and called for it to be burned.
The KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service have not yet determined what happened at the building and said it is still probing the matter.
“The matter is still under investigation,” said police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
Protesters urge HOMii tenants to vacate.
Video: Xolile Mtembu pic.twitter.com/o55CFbkZww— IOL News (@IOL) October 27, 2025
For the family, this brings little comfort as the child that survived the fall is still fighting for her life in hospital. The children’s aunt, Thuli Dlamini said she could not put into words how devastated the household is.
“We’re protesting today because we have not received justice. The police took the statement from us at the mortuary but now they claim that it has gone missing.
“We need additional investigators to explain to us what is going on here. We are extremely hurt as a family, and we arrived to see a bloodbath where the children fell. We don’t understand because everything has been removed,” she said.
Another family member, Thokozani Shelembe shared the same frustration with HOMii and law enforcement.
“I came here from Howick to support my brother-in-law at this difficult time… What is extremely hurtful is that the owner of the flat never showed up until we buried Aphelele on Saturday. The father has to go switch off the machines at the hospital, which is extremely difficult,” Shelembe said.
Protesters attempt to storm into HOMii building.
Video: Xolile Mtembu pic.twitter.com/4wVtzRlLUo— IOL News (@IOL) October 27, 2025
In a statement issued on October 21, HOMii acknowledged the accident and extended their condolences to the family,
We extend our deepest condolences to the parents and their families during this incredibly difficult time,” the company said. “We also extend our sincerest prayers for the recovery of the child that remains in hospital.”
The management said safety remains its highest concern. “We confirm that the safety and wellbeing of all our residents and community members remain our utmost priority.”
IOL News