South Africa's

Congress of the People (COPE) leader was shot dead at his home in

Motherwell outside Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday night, a

party spokesman said on Thursday.

Gerlad Yona, 38, his wife and his children were attacked by three

men who were armed with pistols on the election day, COPE

provincial spokesman Nkosifikile Gqomo said.

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

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

Gqomo said Yona was certified dead in hospital.

Yona's wife, who was injured in the shooting, was discharged

from hospital later in the evening. Gqomo said 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 in terms of living.

This is election time. Mr Yona was very instrumental in guarding

against fraudulent activities," said the spokesman.

Gqomo said no arrests had been made. The police were not

available for comment.