Durban CBD gridlocked as protesters demand justice for Dlamini twins tragedy

THOUSANDS of protesters have brought the Durban Central Business District to a standstill, demanding justice for a family whose son died after falling down a lift shaft.

Seven-year-old twins, Aphelele and Aphile Dlamini, allegedly fell down an open lift shaft at the HOMii building where they live, earlier this month.

Aphelele died, while his twin sister was critically injured. She is currently recovering in the hospital.

The incident reportedly happened nine days ago, on Saturday, October 18.

Members of several organisations, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the African National Congress (ANC), the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, the March on March Movement, and Operation Dudula, have joined the protest.

They are demanding that the management of the HOMii building be held accountable for the tragedy.

The protesters say they are standing up for the Dlamini family, who have been calling for justice since the incident occurred.

The ANC Youth League's Qiniso Mfeka said: “We are gathered here in numbers seeking the attention of the management of HOMii to actually take responsibility of the situation right now, and as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, the MK Party's Minenhle Cibane commented on the lack of cooperation from the building management and the police investigation.

“Currently, HOMii is failing to give the parents and the police evidence, so we are having a problem with the police failing to give the parents a full investigation in terms of what happened,” Cibane said.

The protesters are planning to march to the Durban Central Police Station, where a memorandum of demands will be handed over.