The ANC chief whip in Sakhisizwe municipality was shot dead on Thursday.
Thanduxolo Nobhongoza, 45, was killed in Cala at 4.30pm just outside a tavern.
ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi said: “The ANC is shocked and devastated. We hope police will apprehend whoever is behind this.
“At the moment we cannot distinguish whether it was political or just a crime.
“The sooner the police investigate this the better. We are devastated, but for his family it must be worse.
“Our hearts and minds are with his family and the community of Cala.”
Cala police spokeswoman Namhla Mdleleni said police were on the scene but she did not want to comment. A statement would be released later.
A neighbour who was too afraid to be named saw two men emerging from a building. She heard shots and saw them running to a dark blue Polo with Gauteng province registration plates that drove away.
SA Youth Council secretary Zikhona Pakade said: “Nobhongoza had a very strong character and did not compromise the truth. That is one of the reasons why he was deployed to come and bring stability to Sakhisizwe. That is why we feel this has something to do with the war between Elliot and Cala.”..