#SiamLee case shows how sex work can never be made safe: NGO

Scores of women from Embrace Dignity were at the Durban Magistrate's Court yesterday, as the man accused of killing Lee appeared in the dock for his case to be transferred to the city's High Court. 

NOW READ: Public outcry following Siam Lee's murder

Lee punted her services as a 'sensual masseuse' online and the State alleges the accused was a former client who decided to kill Lee after she broke off contact with him.   

Embrace Dignity's Mickey Meji said the group is opposed to the decriminalisation of sex work.

"The case of Siam Lee is one good example and evidence of how it can never be made safe. Whether you are working on the streets or a closed environment, this is something that is inherently violence," said Meji.

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But the organisation does not believe women working in the industry should be prosecuted.

"The women who are bought, sold and exploited in this system should be decriminalised because there is an understanding that they don't just wake up and choose [to enter the industry]. There are circumstances that render them vulnerable to the system," she said.

Lee went missing from outside her place of work in Durban North in January.

Her badly burnt body was found on a farm in New Hanover in the Midlands a few days later.

Yesterday, the State detailed what it believes were Lee's last moments.

Prosecutors said she suffered a head injury and burns to 90 percent of her body.

The 29-year-old accused, who cannot be identified as he also faces a charge of rape in another case, was granted bail in June after a protracted application.

The State alleges Lee was held captive at the accused's home in Shongweni for more that 24 hours until around midnight on Friday, the 5th of January when the accused decided it was time to kill her.