Department of Employment and Labour's Inspection and Enforcement Services (IES) branch in KwaZulu-Natal has initiated an investigation in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act to uncover the truth about the Homii Lift Incident that happened in Durban recently.  

Department's KwaZulu-Natal Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Inspector, Sandile Kubheka, on Wednesday briefed Employment and Labour Deputy Minister, Jomo Sibiya, about the Homii Lift Incident that happened recently. The Homii lift incident happened at 375 Dr. Pixley ka Seme Street. Kubheka told the Deputy Minister that the inspectorate had deployed a team of inspectors to the fatal scene.

On 18 October 2025 at 20:30, the Dlamini siblings Aphelele (8) and Aphile (8 years) were reported to be playing on the fourth floor and, in the process, fell into an unsecured lift shaft of a non-functional lift. During the incident, Aphelele was injured and passed away, and his twin sister Aphile was injured.

 A preliminary inspector's report has determined that the lift was non-operational and that access to the lift shaft was insufficiently secured.

During the briefing held at the Department's Provincial Office in Durban, Kubheka said: “There was a lack of proper isolation and barricading at the lift entrance, as well as a failure to post warning signs to deter entry. The unsecured doors of the lift posed a significant risk, particularly to residents, including children.

“Additionally, the management systems for building maintenance and safety do not comply with safety regulations as stipulated by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)".

Kubheka disclosed during the briefing that there were documents being studied to understand the conduct of the Owner/User (Homii Lifestyle) as regards the management of the lift against the requirements of the Lift, Escalator, and Passenger Conveyer Regulation, and incorporated health and safety standards.

“The incidence indicates potential negligence in maintenance and safety management by the building owner," he emphasised.

Said Kubheka, the report points to a potential negligence on maintenance and hazard control, contravening the requirements of section 9(1) of the OHS Act. He further said according to this section, the employers/User shall conduct their undertaking in such a manner as to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that persons other than in their employment/tenants who may be directly affected by his activities are not thereby exposed to hazards to their health and safety.

“A prohibition notice was served on the User prohibiting the user from using or allowing other persons to use Lift DE978 in its current unsafe condition," Kubheka said that the lift should have been maintained.

Deputy Minister Sibiya, together with the Department's Inspector-General, Aggy Moiloa, accompanied by a team of inspectors and officials, yesterday (29 October) visited the site of the fatal incident. 

For media enquiries, please contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694/ teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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