Necklacing

Описание: Necklacing is an execution method in which a rubber tire is placed around the victim’s chest and arms, covered with highly flammable liquids and then set on fire.

The origins of necklacing can be traced back to reported incidents of humans being burned to death, mostly in cases of mob assault or vigilantism, in Apartheid South Africa 1985.

In 1986, Winnie Mandela, then wife of the imprisoned Nelson Mandela said, "With our boxes of matches, and our necklaces, we shall liberate this country", which was widely seen as an explicit endorsement of necklacing.

Typically, those subjected to necklacing were believed to be cooperating with oppressive government forces or acting against the anti-Apartheid movement. The people targeted were often accused, rightly or wrongly, of aiding oppressive authorities, such as police, intelligence officials, or political adversaries. However, because accusations could be based on rumors or personal grievances, sometimes innocent people became victims of necklacing. This brutal practice now occurs where people take justice, or retribution, into their own hands.

Regarding the structural components of a tire, the bead bundles of a tire are thick, strong rings made from steel wires wrapped together and coated in rubber. These bundles sit at the inner edges of the tire (where it meets the wheel rim) and are crucial for making sure the tire stays tightly secured to the rim, even under high pressure. A tire’s bead is the edge or inner ring of the tire that sits on the rim of the wheel. It is made from strong steel wires wrapped in rubber to create a tight, secure fit between the tire and the wheel rim. The bead keeps the tire from slipping off the wheel, even when the tire is under high pressure or carrying heavy weight, so it’s essential for safety and stability while driving.

The burned remnants of these metal tire components typically remain around the burned victim.

References:

1. Medar S, Keyes CA, Stuart SJ. Mob justice fatalities in South Africa: a forensic mortuary study. Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2021;17(4):602-610.

2. Mbuqe S. Political Violence in South Africa: A Case Study of “Necklacing” in Colesberg. January 1, 2010. Available at: https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/897. Accessed on August 18, 2024;28:1-11.

3. Beresford D. Row over “mother of the nation” Winnie Mandela. January 27, 1989. Available at https://www.theguardian.com/century/1.... Accessed on August 18, 2024.