No arrests had been made in connection with the murder of former ANC MP David Dlali in Matatiele, Eastern Cape police said on Tuesday afternoon.
Police were by mid-afternoon still searching for the killers, Brigadier Miranda Mills said.
More details on the murder were still emerging and the motive for the killing would form part of the investigation, she said.
Dlali was found shot dead near Matatiele on Monday morning.
The Democratic Alliance was “deeply saddened” by his death, spokesman Mmusi Maimane said in a statement.
“He was respected by all during his time in Parliament and even though the DA had its disagreements with him, my colleagues inform me we could always count on vigorous debate with him.”
The Congress of the People Parliament caucus felt a “grave sense of loss”, spokesman Dennis Bloem said in a statement.
“Cope further calls upon citizens to help police in their investigation as they search (for Dlali’s) killers.”
The DA and Cope extended their condolences to Dlali's family and colleagues.
Born on January 23, 1960, in Mount Frere, he served in various Western Cape provincial structures, including as a member of the provincial executive committee and chairman of the Dullah Omar region.
He served as a Member of Parliament representing Gugulethu between 2001 and 2009, before joining the ministry of women, children and people with disabilities as special adviser to Minister Lulu Xingwana.
Dlali was also a former underground operative of the African National Congress's armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe. - Sapa