The ANC in the Eastern Cape said on Tuesday infighting and factionalism were to blame for a shooting in Lusikisiki at the weekend.

Eight ANC members were shot and wounded when other branch members opened fire on them shortly before a regional meeting on Sunday.

Police were quick to respond and arrested four people at the scene.

The ANC's Mlibo Qoboshiyane said tensions were simmering between branches.

"The incident indeed was orchestrated by that particular problem of groupings and factionalism in that sub-region for which that meeting was one of the measures to fix the situation.

"Unfortunately, the bandits of other groups decided to come to the meeting armed," he said.