A grieving Durban father is demanding answers after his eight-year-old son, Aphelele, died and his twin sister, Aphile, was left in critical condition when they fell down a lift shaft at the Homii Lifestyle Apartments in the city’s CBD.
The tragic incident occurred when the children were returning from a play area on the fourth floor. According to their father, Khaya Dlamini, one of the building’s lifts had been out of service, but there were no warnings or barricades to prevent access. “The doors were closed but could still be pushed open — there was no lift inside, only an empty shaft,” he said.
Aphelele died instantly, while Aphile suffered severe injuries, including head trauma, internal bleeding, and multiple fractures. Dlamini expressed frustration over the building management’s lack of response and claimed his initial police statement had disappeared. “The law has failed me,” he said, vowing to pursue both criminal and civil action.
Legal experts say building owners have a duty to ensure the safety of their premises, including the proper maintenance and secure closure of faulty lifts. The Homii management confirmed the incident, offering condolences and promising full cooperation with ongoing investigations.