A senior IFP member was gunned down in Empangeni on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast in what is believed to be a politically motivated crime, the party said on Monday.

Inkatha Freedom Party provincial secretary Bonginkosi Buthelezi said Sabeloa Zondi and a passenger were travelling in his car when people on the roadside fired at him at around 8pm on Sunday.

Zondi sustained several gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

His passenger was uninjured.

"Mr Zondi was credited with recruiting at least 70 members from the ANC into the IFP in recent weeks," said Buthelezi.

"His hard work in the community earned him gratitude from local IFP sympathisers as well as threats from ANC supporters. Mr Zondi will be sorely missed," he said.

Buthelezi said the party believed the killing was politically motivated.

Superintendent Jay Naicker was not immediately able to confirm the incident but said he would comment on the matter shortly.