Durban Twins Tragedy
In a heart-wrenching case that has gripped Durban and sparked widespread outrage, seven-year-old twins Aphelele and Aphile Dlamini fell down an open lift shaft at their apartment building, leading to Aphelele’s death and Aphile’s ongoing battle for life in hospital. A massive protest in the Durban CBD on Monday, 27 October 2025, saw thousands demand accountability from the property owners and swift justice from authorities, despite heavy rain forcing the crowd to disperse after handing over a memorandum. Amid claims of a flawed police investigation, including allegations of a missing statement, KwaZulu-Natal police have firmly denied any issues with the docket, calling it intact. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in residential buildings and the community’s push for better protections against such preventable tragedies.
The Tragic Fall: What Happened to the Dlamini Twins
The nightmare began on 18 October 2025, when the twins, Aphelele and Aphile Dlamini, were playing on the fourth floor of the HOMii Lifestyle apartment building on Pixley ka Seme Street in Durban’s bustling CBD. Reports suggest the lift doors were allegedly left open, allowing the children to tumble into the shaft and plummet to the basement below. Aphelele, the boy, suffered fatal injuries and passed away, while his sister Aphile survived the fall but remains in a critical condition, currently in a coma and undergoing intensive medical treatment at a local hospital.
The building, managed by HOMii Lifestyle, is a residential block where the family rents an apartment. Neighbours and family say the twins were inseparable, often seen playing together in the corridors. This was not the first such incident at the property; the father mentioned a previous case where another child died in similar circumstances, with no justice served due to ongoing delays. Safety lapses, like faulty or unsecured lifts, have raised alarms about building maintenance in densely populated urban areas like Durban CBD, where many families live in high-rise rentals.
Family’s Heartbreak: A Father’s Fight for Answers
The Dlamini family has been shattered by the loss. Father Khaya Dlamini, also known as Khayelihle in some reports, spoke of the trauma, saying the family is still living in the same apartment, forced to face the site of the tragedy every day. “We are traumatised and sadly we are still staying in the very same apartment. We see where our son died and where our daughter got injured every day,” he told reporters. He added that the pain is especially hard on the children’s mother, urging her to stay strong after carrying them for nine months.
Aphelele was laid to rest on 25 October 2025, in a emotional service where he was remembered as a “treasured son, brother and friend” who brought joy to all. The family issued a statement thanking South Africans for their support: “We are deeply grateful to every South African who has stood up for Aphelele and Aphile. Your voices, your outrage, and your solidarity have turned pain into purpose.” Khaya has accused police of mishandling the case, claiming they only visited the scene days after the incident and that his initial statement went missing from the docket. He is now considering legal action against the building owners and has urged authorities to release CCTV footage to uncover the truth.
Massive Protest Shuts Down Durban CBD
On 27 October 2025, what would have been the twins’ eighth birthday, thousands of protesters from groups like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African National Congress (ANC), uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, Operation Dudula, and the March on March Movement took to the streets of Durban CBD. The march started outside the HOMii building and moved to the Durban Central Police Station, causing gridlock and chaos as roads were blocked. Despite pouring rain, the crowd persisted long enough to hand over a memorandum of demands to representatives from HOMii Lifestyle and provincial police headquarters.
The protest highlighted public fury over the incident, with chants and signs calling for an end to negligence in residential buildings. Activists like Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma from March on March urged authorities to hold HOMii accountable and release footage so the family can find closure. The event dispersed due to the weather, but not before making a strong statement about community solidarity.
Key Demands: Justice, Footage, and Safety Reforms
The memorandum outlined clear calls for action. Protesters demanded the prioritisation of the case to ensure swift justice, the immediate release of CCTV footage capturing the incident, and full accountability from HOMii management. They also pushed for the city to enforce by-laws on residential apartments to improve safety standards and prevent future mishaps. Khaya stressed that HOMii must “pay for this” and compensate the family, pointing to the building’s history of unresolved safety issues. Broader demands included better oversight of urban housing to protect vulnerable children in high-risk environments.
Police Response: Docket Intact Amid Accusations
KwaZulu-Natal police have opened an inquest docket to probe the circumstances of the fall. Spokesperson Robert Netshiunda addressed the marchers, denying claims of a missing statement: “There is information that there was a statement which was missing from the docket; that information is not correct, the docket is intact.” He advised the father to report any alleged misconduct to the station commander or the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
Despite these assurances, Khaya has accused the police of being misleading and delaying the probe. He claims officers only arrived at the scene days later, fueling suspicions of negligence in the investigation. This has added to the family’s frustration, with calls for transparency growing louder.
Building Owners’ Statement and Broader Implications
HOMii Lifestyle Management issued a statement on 21 October 2025, expressing “deepest condolences to the parents and their families during this incredibly difficult time” and offering “sincerest prayers for the recovery of the child that remains in hospital.” They reaffirmed that “the safety and wellbeing of all our residents and community members remain our utmost priority.” However, protesters accuse the company of failing to provide evidence, which they say is stalling the case.
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