Owners to blame for unsafe buildings

A CHILD has died after falling down a lift shaft in a central Durban building that should have been safe because it is home to hundreds of residents. This is not a tragic accident.

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This is a preventable failure. And someone must answer for it.

The father Khayelihle Khumalo is mulling legal action after his 8-year-old son Aphelele died and his twin sister, Aphile, was critically injured after falling into the exposed elevator shaft on the fourth floor of the apartment block.

The father said the lift was malfunctioning, but no sign had been put up to warn the tenants.

In a show of solidarity, hundreds of protesters descended on the HOMii Lifestyle building on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street on Monday which was supposed to be the children’s birthday — but instead saw anticipated joy turn into tears.