Ten months after a fall down an open lift shaft took the life of 7-year-old Aphelele Dlamini and left his twin sister Aphile fighting for her life, the Dlamini family says they are still searching for answers, justice, and a sense of safety.
Khaya Dlamini, father to the twins, told IOL that his daily focus is now one thing: keeping his surviving daughter safe.
The tragedy happened on October 18, 2025, at the HOMii Lifestyle residential apartments in Durban’s CBD. Aphelele died, while Aphile spent weeks in a coma and underwent extensive medical treatment. Today she is recovering, but the road has been long.
**A Life Put On Hold**
Dlamini said he had to quit his job to become Aphile’s full-time caregiver.
“I had to quit my job to stay full-time with Aphile, to protect her 24/7 and make sure that she is getting the best parental care,” he said.
The family has since moved out of the apartment where the incident happened. While their new home provides shelter, Dlamini said it does not meet all of Aphile’s special needs. Still, they are trying to build a new normal.
But normal remains out of reach. Due to alleged safety concerns and threats, Aphile has not returned to school.
“Aphile cannot even go to school because of safety concerns and threats. A daily routine of travelling to school will expose us more to danger, so we are looking at possible ways like online schooling instead,” Dlamini explained.
**Physical Recovery, Emotional Wounds**
Doctors say Aphile is strong. She survived a four-storey fall, weeks in a coma, and multiple surgeries. Yet her father says the trauma runs deep.
“Although some days she does battle with trauma, including nightmares and sleepless nights, she is strong and fighting to get better, both physically and mentally.”
The hardest moment came after she woke up. Aphile kept asking about her twin.
“The hardest part was when we had to tell her about her brother, because she kept asking about him,” Dlamini said.
There are no words, he added, that can soften telling a child that the person she shared every milestone with is gone.
**Faith And A New Purpose**
In the midst of grief, the family says faith has carried them. Dlamini credits both his belief and Aphile’s recovery for keeping them going.
“I find strength through faith and Aphile’s recovery. Watching her getting better day by day gives us hope.”
Aphile herself has become a source of inspiration. Through videos sharing her healing journey, she has reached thousands of people.
“Aphile is a believer; she has very strong faith. She has told me and my wife that God saved her to give hope to the world.”
**The Fight For Justice**
Public support has been a lifeline. On the twins’ birthday, South Africans marched with the family to demand accountability.
“The march took place on their birthday, so I was honoured that their birthday was celebrated by uniting South Africans to fight for justice,” Dlamini said.
That fight has now moved to the courts. But the father says progress is slow.
“From my point of view and what I discovered, I am not happy with the way the investigation is going.”
He believes the lack of closure is preventing the family from grieving properly.
“We are far from healing because this whole situation shows these people have no remorse. They want us to just keep quiet and move on, which will not happen. We will heal the day justice is served.”
**Building A Legacy**
From the pain, the Dlaminis have launched the Dlamini Twins Foundation, or DT Foundation. The goal is to help other vulnerable families seeking justice.
For Khaya Dlamini, justice is not just about accountability. It is about being able to mourn his son without feeling he has let him down.
Until then, he says, the fight continues — one day at a time, guided by faith and the memory of Aphelele.
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