We cannot get tired of demanding justice, and this time it is #JusticeForBellyMujinga. Until her death, Belly Mujinga was a railway worker moved to the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000 as a political refugee. She is survived by her husband Lusamba Katalay and their 11-year-old daughter, Ingrid. Her family spoke to ITV London earlier this month about seeking answers in her unjust death.
Family pays tribute to a rail worker who died after a man spat in her face at Victoria station. Belly Mujinga, who had an 11-year-old daughter, was on the concourse when a member of the public who said he had Covid-19 spat and coughed at her and a colleague @riachatter reports pic.twitter.com/PF6MJ0GDiy
— ITV London (@itvlondon) May 12, 2020
However, British Transport Police (BTS) say that no further action will be taken in the death of 47-year-old railway worker Belly Mujinga; who died of COVID-19 in April after being spat on by a man who said he was infected with the virus.
“Case Dismissed”
Authorities claim that after an extensive review, they found no evidence that criminal activity had caused her death. In a statement via Huffington Post, authorities say they reviewed CCTV footage; and spoke with key witnesses in the case, and determined that no further action will be taken against a 57-year-old man from London who they interviewed in connection to the incident.
British Transport Police says no further action will be taken in relation to the death of a railway worker following an incident at London Victoria station following "extensive enquiries" by detectives
— Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) May 29, 2020
“Following a review of all the information, senior detectives have concluded that there is no evidence to substantiate any criminal offences having taken place; and that the tragic death of Belly Mujinga was not a consequence of this incident,” said a spokesperson for BTS.
According to Mujinga’s worker’s union Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) she was left “extremely shaken” by the attack and later asked to be moved back into the tickets office instead of working outside on the concourse, however, her request was reportedly denied. It was known that Mujinga had a pre-existing health condition, and her family says that supervisors did not listen to her concerns.
Belly Mujinga died of coronavirus days after being spat at by a man claiming to have coronavirus.
Today, the police say there is no connection between the events, and no further action will be taken.
Another black person dead and no justice served. pic.twitter.com/4njxDlc7Rt
— Kerry-Anne Mendoza 🏳️🌈 (@TheMendozaWoman) May 29, 2020
Belly Mujinga; Her Death And Its Impact
Belly Mujinga died just fourteen days after the incident, in which her and another female colleague were spat on; by a man claiming to have coronavirus while on duty at London’s Victoria Station. Still, Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn says police are “confident” that her death was not a consequence of the incident. “I know the loss of Belly has moved so many people; and I can assure you we have done everything we can to provide answers for her family,” said Balckburn. “As a result of our enquiries, we can now be confident that this incident did not lead to Belly’s tragic death. Our thoughts remain with her family and we will continue to support them; as they come to terms with the loss of their much-loved mother and wife.”
Also, Belly Mujinga’s death sheds light on the ways in which the pandemic has disproportionately affected people from Black; working class backgrounds in the UK. Black women make up a substantial number of essential workers who have been placed on the frontlines; thus at greater risk of contracting the disease. According to a report from UNISON; the UK’s largest public service union; “72% of all health and social care staff who have died with COVID-19 are Black.”