Charge the railway spitter who killed railway ticket inspector with MURDER, says family of 47-year-old who died of coronavirus after man spat on her

The family of a railway ticket officer who died from coronavirus after being spat on by a man who said he was infected with the disease has called for the 'disgusting' culprit to be jailed for murder.

Belly Mujinga, 47, was on the concourse of London Victoria station with a colleague in March when a member of the public approached them, said he had Covid-19 and spat on them both. Within days of the assault, both women fell ill with the virus. 

Mrs Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was admitted to Barnet Hospital, north London, on April 2 and put on a ventilator but died three days later.

Her colleague, who remains unnamed, has made a full recovery from her home.

+5

The family of Belly Mujinga, who died from coronavirus after being spat at by a man claiming to have the disease while working at London Victoria, have called for a murder charge

British Transport Police began enquiries on Monday and had ruled out a murder investigation, but say the severity of the charge they bring is still up in the air. 

And Mrs Mujinga's family have now called for the individual responsible to be brought to justice for his act, imploring for a murder charge to be brought forward. 

'It is [murder]. It's very stressful for the whole family,' Agnes Ntumba, cousin of Mrs Mujinga, told Good Morning Britain on Wednesday. '[It's] Disgusting. How can a human being react in that way to another human being. It's not right.

+5

Mrs Mujinga's cousin, Agnes Ntumba, has called for the individual to be charged with murder. On Monday, British Transport Police ruled out a murder investigation following the incident

'Firstly Belly normally worked inside in the ticket office but the team leader decided to put her to work in the concourse, she mentioned her health conditions but they didn't take any notice. 

'They went to work and then somebody approached them and said 'why are you here'. They said 'we are working' and he said 'you shouldn't be working'. They said 'we need to work it is our duty'. He said 'look I've got corona' and he just spat at them and walked away. They then went to tell the manager that someone spat at us. Nothing was done.'

Ms Ntumba paid tribute to her cousin, who leaves behind daughter Ingrid, 11, and husband Lusamba. 

'She was a lovely woman, happy caring, and she would stand for anybody and was really looking after her family,' she added. 

+5

Mrs Mujinga, 47, had underlying health conditions and later died after the vicious assault 

'[After the incident] She was afraid. She was very worried about it but she didn't report it to the police and nothing has been done.

'She was coughing a lot and she was always cold and very weak. On Thursday, she phoned me and at 3pm she called me back to say she was in the hospital and needed oxygen.

'I am thinking it's not right it's wrong and he needs to be put in jail or do his sentence it's not right.

'It is difficult to cope at the moment. They [Mrs Mujinga's husband and daughter] can feel now that somebody is missing. It is very difficult, especially to the young girl.'

British Transport Police confirmed they did not know about the incident until Monday - seven weeks after it happened on March 22. 

+5

Ms Ntumba spoke of her devastation after the loss of the 'lovely, caring' mother-of-one

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has paid tribute to Belly Mujinga, a railway ticket office worker who died with coronavirus after being spat at while on duty, saying: 'The fact that she was abused for doing her job is utterly appalling.' 

Ten people were able to attend the mother's funeral, but friends and family have paid tribute to her online, with one person writing: 'Rest in peace aunty Belly Mujinga that we used to call 'Mama I Baby''

Colleague Akin Macaulay wrote: 'Belly, my colleague and my birthday mate, may your soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort your Husband and daughter and the extended family at this time and uphold them all.'

Mr Macaulay shared a fundraising page which had raised almost £14,000 to support the GTR worker's family. 

+5

A fundraising page has so far raised £14,000 to support the GTR worker's family at this time

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association union has reported the incident to the Railways Inspectorate, the safety arm of the Office for Road and Rail (ORR), for investigation and is taking legal advice on the situation.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: 'We are shocked and devastated at Belly's death. She is one of far too many frontline workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.

'The Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, recently announced that £60,000 would be paid to the survivors of health and care workers who die as a result of the pandemic.

'Our view is that this compensation should be extended to the families of all frontline workers who perish trying to keep our country and vital services going.

'Sadly, Belly's is just one of many family tragedies where children have had their parents taken away from them. 

'However, there are serious questions about her death; it wasn't inevitable.

'As a vulnerable person in the 'at risk' category, and her condition known to her employer, there are questions about why she wasn't stood down from frontline duties early on in this pandemic.

'Rather than talking about the easing the lockdown, the government must first ensure that the right precautions and protections have been taken so that more lives are not lost.

'Anyone who is vulnerable should remain at home and home working should be the default wherever possible.

'Our rail industry needs to have a very serious look at what tasks are deemed 'essential' and must put protections in place for all our members and our passengers.'