Police receive CCTV footage from HOMii management after tragic lift shaft incident in Durban
HOMii management have confirmed that CCTV footage related to the lift shaft incident in which Aphelele Dlamini died and his sister Aphile was critically injured has been given to the police.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
The South African Police Service have received the CCTV footage of an incident in which two siblings fell down a lift shaft at the HOMii apartment complex in the Durban CBD.
Seven-year-old twins Aphelele and Aphile Dlamini, fell down the lift shaft. Aphelele died at the scene, while his twin sister is in a critical condition in the hospital. Since the incident, their father Khaya Dlamini has been demanding answers from the building management as well as the CCTV footage of the incident.
On Monday, dozens of protesters gathered outside the building demanding accountability over the October 18 incident.
HOMii management confirmed that the footage was now with the police.
“Due to the sensitivity of the matter involving other children, we can now confirm that we have delivered the footage to the police,” the company said on Tuesday.
The company went on to express sympathy towards the grieving family.
"The management of HOMii Lifestyle wishes to express our deepest sympathy to Mr Khaya Dlamini and Mrs Dlamini, our tenants and other compatriots who have been deeply triggered and affected by the accident that took place at one of our residential blocks in Durban central."
The police said earlier this week that the matter was still under investigation.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has called for a swift investigation into the matter
He said the Premier's office has initiated an immediate, multi-pronged government intervention and confirmed that both the police and the Department of Labour and Employment have opened official investigations.
The Provincial Department of Community Safety and Liaison has been deployed to the site to coordinate all government entities, support the police investigation, and serve as the primary liaison with the victims' families.