Durban – A devastating accident at Homii Flats in Durban’s CBD has left a family reeling after eight-year-old twins fell down a lift shaft, killing the boy instantly and leaving his sister fighting for her life in hospital.
The tragedy has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability over alleged building safety failures.
The children’s father, Khaya Dlamini, launched a public plea for justice under the hashtag #JusticeForDlaminiTwins, recounting the harrowing events on social media.
According to Dlamini, the twins fell from the fourth floor to the basement when faulty lift doors — left unsecured during repairs — gave way.
“My twins, who are eight years old, were involved in an accident; they fell into a lift shaft from the fourth floor to the basement. The faulty lift doors were not locked. My son died. My daughter survived, and she is in ICU fighting for her life,” the report quoted Dlamini as saying.
He said the building’s management showed little concern, refusing to provide surveillance footage of the incident and offering only a grocery bag and a teddy bear as a gesture of sympathy—an offer he rejected. “Homii Lifestyle management does not care. No one has visited me and my wife,” he said.
Dlamini said there were no signs or safety barriers indicating that the lift was under repair. The father described how friends of his children alerted him to the fall, prompting him to open the lift doors and descend to the basement himself.
“I was so shocked that they fell from that height. I ran down to the ground floor to get to them in the basement,” he said, adding that his children’s shoes and blood remained at the bottom of the shaft.
Dlamini has vowed to pursue legal recourse, saying he plans to involve the Independent Police Investigative Directorate after police advised him to focus on burying his son.
According to Times Live, KwaZulu-Natal police confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened.
Tragic Lift Shaft Incident at Homii Flats: Father Seeks Justice for Dlamini Twins
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal – October 21, 2025A heartbroken father, identified as Mr. Khaya Dlamini, has launched a desperate public appeal under the hashtag #JusticeForDlaminiTwins following a… pic.twitter.com/JhqJOxn7r7
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) October 21, 2025
Spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said: “Police in Durban Central have registered an inquest docket for investigation after an incident in which an [eight]-year-old boy was playing with his sibling when he reportedly fell into a lift shaft. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The incident occurred at Pixley KaSeme Street on October 18.”
The report also said that Homii Lifestyle management confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing legal proceedings. The company expressed condolences to the family and stated that an investigation is underway.
“We confirm the safety and wellbeing of our residents and community members remain our priority,” Homii said, adding that it is offering counselling and emotional support to those affected.
The incident has drawn widespread concern over building safety standards, particularly regarding access to hazardous areas such as lift shafts.
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, secure access to such areas is mandatory, and violations could result in fines or closure orders.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
