The African National Congress said on Thursday it was shocked by the murder of prominent Eastern Cape Cope member Gerald Yona.

"The ANC strongly condemns this criminal act and urges the law enforcement agencies to do everything possible to bring those responsible to book," the party's national office said in a statement.

The Congress of the People said earlier that Yona was shot dead at his home in Motherwell outside Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday night.

Cope provincial spokesperson Nkosifikile Gqomo said Yona (38) his wife and his children were attacked by three men armed with pistols.

"Mr Yona and his wife were shot," Gqomo said.

"Their children managed to escape. The three attackers fled in a Citi Golf."

Gqomo said Yona was certified dead in hospital. Yona's wife was discharged from hospital later in the evening.

Cope believed that the incident was linked to politics.

"Mr Yona was very active in politics in Motherwell," Gqomo said.

"We know he was trying very hard to survive... This is election time. Mr Yona was very instrumental in guarding against fraudulent activities."

Gqomo said no arrests had been made.

The police were not available for comment.