On the night of 12 January, 1991, more than 30 people were killed while attending an all-night vigil held in a tent in Sebokeng, in the Vaal region, where weeping mourners paid final respects to their comrade and community leader, Chris Nangalembe who was a member of the African National Congress (ANC).
Nangalembe died on 5 January 1991 after he was kidnapped by unknown assailants and brutally murdered. His body was later found at a rubbish dump in the nearby township of Boipatong. While attending the vigil, a gang of armed men suddenly invaded the tent where mourners were gathered. A hand grenade was thrown and exploded while the assailants began shooting randomly into the crowd of mourners, leaving 39 people dead and scores injured. A similar event unfolded Kwa-Madala Hostel in Boipatong, Vaal on 17 June 1992, where 46 residents were massacred on what became known as Boipatong Massacre.