by Bethany Rielly
BELLY MUJINGA’S family “still have no answers” a year after her death, supporters said today, as vigils were held in the rail worker’s memory.
Ms Mujinga, 47, died with Covid-19 on April 5 2020, two weeks after she was reportedly spat at by a white man while working as a ticket officer at central London’s Victoria Station.
British Transport Police (BTP) interviewed a 57-year-old man over the incident but said that there was not enough evidence that a crime had taken place. Reviewing the case under public pressure, the Crown Prosecution Service concluded that there was insufficient evidence to bring homicide charges.
Her death sparked public outrage, with questions raised around why she was kept in a public-facing role despite employer Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) knowing that she had an underlying health condition which affected her lungs and throat.
Speaking on the first anniversary of Ms Mujinga’s death, her family’s lawyer Lawrence Davies said that BTP had refused to disclose the suspect’s name, preventing them from pursuing a private prosecution and further civil claims.
He claimed that the force have “stonewalled” him since September, adding that the family has complained to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The BTP was approached for comment.
The family wanted the suspect’s name so that they could consider suing for harassment and assault, Mr Davies said. They are also considering a civil claim against GTR.
Vigils were held outside Victoria Station as well as at GTR stations in Bedford, East Croydon, Tooting and Brighton.
Ms Mujinga’s husband Lusamba Katalay attended the vigil at Victoria, which included a minute’s silence.
Speaking at the vigil, Sonali Bhattacharyya, a member of the Justice for Belly campaign group, said that the family are demanding an inquest and public inquiry to find out whether GTR are culpable.
“We’re here today on the first anniversary of Belly Mujinga’s death, united in anger and grief,” she said. “A year on, and her family still have no answers. They still wait for justice.”
She asked why GTR had not immediately reported the alleged spitting incident to the police, as well as grievances that Ms Mujinga had previously raised against a colleague over alleged victimisation and racial discrimination.
Ms Mujinga’s union TSSA called today for a coroner’s inquest into her death “so that all the outstanding questions about this case can be answered.”
Last month, senior coroner Andrew Walker said he was still deciding whether to hold an inquest.
TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: “Belly’s death touched our entire union and far beyond. Public scrutiny is now needed to fully illuminate this tragic case. As things stand, too many gaps and glaring omissions remain.
“These questions are as pressing today as they were a year ago. One thing is for sure — Belly will not be forgotten and our union will never give up the fight on her behalf.”
Mr Katalay said that his wife is terribly missed, adding that he wanted justice so that he and his daughter can have peace.
MPs backed his calls, with Labour’s Bell Ribeiro-Addy in attendance at the Victoria vigil.
Her colleague Nadia Whittome said: “There are still so many questions her family need answered. The rights of front-line workers, like those in transport, must be protected.”
Shadow women and equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova said that “we must continue to demand justice for her death.”
The TUC said: “A year on, we remember Belly Mujinga — a mother, a key worker and a trade union member.
“Belly was one of many transport workers going to work to keep our country moving through the pandemic.
“She has become a symbol of the importance of protecting people at work.”
Stand Up To Racism co-convener Weyman Bennett told the Morning Star: “Belly Mujinga didn’t get justice and now we have a government that denies institutional racism.
“We have to expose Boris Johnson’s vicious government and demand an independent public inquiry so that trade unionist and black communities can get justice.”
