HOMii finally responds to public outrage following twin's death in Durban lift
DOZENS of people gathered in the Durban CBD on Monday to demand justice for the Dlamini twins who fell down a lift shaft at an apartment complex on October 18. Aphelele died on the scene while her sister is still in a coma at a local hospital.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The management of HOMii Lifestyle has expressed its deepest sympathy to the Dlamini family following a tragic accident at one of its residential blocks in the Durban CBD that claimed the life of a child earlier this month.
In a statement released on Tuesday, HOMii Lifestyle said it was “deeply triggered and affected” by the tragedy and acknowledged the pain experienced by its tenants and the wider public.
“We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Mr Khaya Dlamini and Mrs Dlamini, our tenants and other compatriots who have been deeply affected by the accident that took place at one of our residential blocks in Durban central,” the company said.
The social housing company, which operates in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, said it had launched an internal investigation to determine the cause of the incident.
HOMii also confirmed that it had received a memorandum of demands from a group of concerned citizens who demonstrated outside the building on Monday in support of the Dlamini family.
“We understand the anger, frustration and genuine concern this has brought to all citizens,” the company stated.
Due to the sensitivity of the matter, which involves other children, HOMii said it had handed over video footage of the incident to the police.
“Our legal team has immediately reached out to Mr and Mrs Dlamini for an urgent meeting,” management added.
The company appealed for respect toward ongoing legal processes, saying it would fully cooperate with authorities.
“As HOMii management and executives, we shall cooperate and comply with all due processes in this matter,” the statement read.
DEMONSTATORS who gathered at the Homii Lifestyle flats on Joe Slovo Street on Monday demanding justice for the Dlamini twins. The march was organised by the anti-illegal migration movement March and March and uMkhonto weSizwe Party's Labour Desk.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers
The tragedy has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for accountability and improved safety standards in inner-city residential buildings.
On Monday, various organisations including anti-illegal migration movement, March and March, and uMkhonto weSizwe Party's Labour Desk, joined a demonstration march which brought the Durban CBD to a standstill, demanding justice for the Dlamini twins.
Aphelele was buried on Saturday, and his sister, Aphile is still fighting for her life in hospital. The fall left Aphile with multiple fractures on her body, and serious head and spinal injuries.
The twins' father, Khaya, was one of the people who sustained injuries when the police shot at demonstrators with rubber bullets. Aphelele's death and the injury of his sister, Aphile, on October 18 has sparked a social media campaign under the hashtag #JusticeForDlaminiTwins.
Most of the placards carried by demonstrators used the same hashtag, with some wearing t-shirts bearing the images of the twins.
Some of the protesters urged Homii's tenants to vacate the building as they were not safe. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the investigation was ongoing.
"The matter is still under investigation," he said.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE