Celebrity Breeze Bringing you fascinating stories
Related Articles
Durban, South Africa — As the country mourns the death of a seven-year-old boy who fell into a lift shaft at a Durban apartment block last week, another tragedy from the very same building has resurfaced — one that many say should have been a warning long ago.
It has now emerged that in February 2023, a 20-year-old University of KwaZulu-Natal student, Andiswa Mantshongo, also died in a lift shaft accident at the same building — the HOMii Lifestyle apartments in the Durban CBD.
Her mother, Nontuthuko Mantshongo, from Pietermaritzburg, says the death of the Dlamini twins last week has reopened deep wounds she has been forced to live with for over a year.
“When I found out that the Dlamini twins suffered the same fate as my daughter, the pain overwhelmed me again,” she said. “It opened wounds that I had to close just to survive.”
Nontuthuko is now suing HOMii Lifestyle for R4.3 million, accusing the company of negligence and of failing to ensure the safety of residents and guests at the high-rise building.
A Preventable Death
Andiswa, a Bachelor of Arts student at UKZN and a young mother to a three-year-old, fell to her death from the seventh floor of the building on February 16, 2023. She had been visiting friends who lived there when she entered a lift that was reportedly malfunctioning.
Her body was later discovered between the second and third floors.
“There were no signs indicating that the lift was not working,” her mother recalled. “She fell straight down the shaft. We were never given an explanation. To this day, no one from HOMii has contacted us.”
Nontuthuko says she received the devastating news from police in Durban later that evening.
“They asked if I had a daughter who lived in Durban. When I said yes, they told me to come immediately. I knew something terrible had happened.”
Her husband and brother drove to Durban that night. When they returned, her worst fears had been confirmed.
“My daughter was dead,” she said quietly.
Legal Action and Denials
Her lawyer, Advocate Mhleli Mhlaba, confirmed that a civil suit was filed against HOMii Lifestyle and three other respondents in July 2023, including the Garlicks Building Pty Ltd and the Body Corporate.
Mhlaba alleges that the company’s negligence directly caused Andiswa’s death.
“There was no signage or barrier warning residents that the elevator was unsafe,” he said. “Our position is that HOMii failed in its duty of care to ensure the safety of people entering the building.”
However, HOMii’s attorneys denied wrongdoing.
They argued that the lift was deactivated between certain floors and that warning notices were displayed. They also claimed Andiswa had entered the building “at her own risk,” a position that her family describes as “cruel and insulting.”
The case is currently at the discovery stage, with lawyers awaiting documentation before moving to trial.
History Repeats Itself
Last week, tragedy struck the same building once more — this time claiming the life of a seven-year-old boy, one of the Dlamini twins, who fell into the same elevator shaft while playing with his sister and friends.
The boy died in hospital; his twin sister remains in critical condition.
Their father, Khayelihle Khumalo, said the incident was completely avoidable.
“The lift was not working, but there was no sign. When I opened the lift door, there was nothing — just a hole. I saw my son’s white shirt at the bottom,” he said.
“When we pulled them out, they were badly hurt. My hands were full of blood. My son was not breathing.”
Police have opened an inquest docket, while HOMii Lifestyle confirmed that “an unfortunate incident occurred” but declined to comment further, citing legal processes.
The company said “tenant safety remains our top priority,” a statement that has drawn public anger online.
“How Many More?”
The two cases — nearly identical in nature — have raised serious questions about building safety standards and corporate accountability in South Africa’s growing urban rental market.
Community members and activists marched outside the building last week, carrying placards reading “Justice for the Dlamini twins” and “Andiswa deserved better.”
Nontuthuko Mantshongo says she joined the protest not out of anger, but out of solidarity.
“I went there to support the Dlamini family. No mother should ever go through this again. HOMii must take responsibility,” she said.
She said she has struggled to heal while raising Andiswa’s daughter, now six years old.
“Every day I look at that child and see her mother’s face. I can’t believe nothing has changed since 2023.”
Growing Calls for Accountability
Legal experts say the repeated incidents could expose HOMii to criminal negligence charges if investigations confirm safety failures.
Human rights groups have urged the Department of Labour and eThekwini Municipality to conduct full inspections of all high-rise buildings under the company’s management.
“This is not an accident anymore — it’s a pattern,” said activist Sibusisiwe Dlamini, who led last week’s march. “Two tragedies, same shaft, same story. It’s unacceptable.”
The South African Human Rights Commission is reportedly considering whether to open an inquiry into the matter.
As investigations continue, both families remain united in grief and frustration.
“If they had acted after my daughter’s death,” Nontuthuko said, “that little boy would still be alive today.”
Her voice trembled, but her message was clear:
“I will not rest until someone takes responsibility for these deaths.”
Two tragedies. One building. And a city left asking how many more lives must be lost before safety becomes more than a promise.
