The mother of UKZN student Andiswa Mantshongo, who plunged to her death in a lift shaft at Durban’s HOMii building in 2023, is suing the company for R4.3 million — accusing it of negligence and a lack of accountability. The same building recently made headlines after the Dlamini twins died under similar circumstances, reopening deep wounds for Andiswa’s family.
Andiswa, a 20-year-old Bachelor of Arts student, reportedly fell from the seventh floor to the second floor of the building on February 16, 2023, after using what appeared to be a faulty lift. Her mother, Nontuthuko Mantshongo (54) from Pietermaritzburg, says the family received no explanation or communication from HOMii following the tragedy.
“There were no warning signs indicating that the lift was out of order,” said Nontuthuko, adding that her daughter had been visiting friends at the time. “To this day, no one from HOMii has reached out to us.”
Nontuthuko says the incident left a lasting scar — especially because Andiswa was a young mother. Her daughter left behind a three-year-old child, now six, who has grown up without a mother.
When news broke about the Dlamini twins’ fatal fall at the same building, Nontuthuko says the trauma resurfaced.
“It felt like losing Andiswa all over again,” she said, describing her participation in the march outside the HOMii building to support the Dlamini family.
Her attorney, Mhleli Mhlaba, confirmed that the R4.3 million civil lawsuit was filed in July 2023.
“We believe this tragedy resulted from negligence. There were no visible warnings or signs to indicate that the lift was unsafe,” he said.
HOMii Lifestyle and its co-respondents — K2018043790 South Africa Pty Ltd, Garlicks Buildings Pty Ltd, and the body corporate of the building — have denied liability. Their attorneys claim that the lift mechanisms were disabled and that warning notices were in place, arguing that Andiswa entered the premises “at her own risk.”
The matter is currently at the discovery stage, with the legal team awaiting documents from the respondents’ lawyers before the case proceeds to trial.
