Pretoria - North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has called for calm and urged people to refrain from spreading conspiracy theories regarding the killing of Wandile Bozwana.
Mahumapelo’s office and the provincial government said they had noted media reports suggesting that his death was linked to a court case involving the two parties.
"The incorrect media reports continue to suggest that a company called Tsoga recently took the Provincial Government to court when in actual fact it is the Provincial Government that took the matter to the Constitutional Court that sat on 29 September 2015," spokesperson Brian Setswambung said in a statement.
"Some individuals within the political space continue to make unfortunate insinuations that seek to fan public emotions on the matter. Premier Supra Mahumapelo has appealed to the public to fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies in order to ensure the speedy arrest of the perpetrators of this cruel shooting," he added.
Mahumapelo also called on those with information to approach the law enforcement agencies rather than to raise suspicions in the public space.
Bozwana was shot and killed in what many people, including his family, believe was a hit.
He died in hospital on Friday night following the shooting.
Bozwana and a colleague, Mpho Baloyi, were travelling on the N1 north from Johannesburg at about 16:00 when gunmen in a silver grey BMW M3 allegedly pulled up next to their car near the Garsfontein off-ramp and opened fire on the branded Renault Clio.
About 12 bullets hit the car, with nine of them hitting Bozwana, five in the lower back. Baloyi - who was driving the Clio - was shot twice, but managed to drive to a car dealership near Menlyn Shopping Centre to seek help.
No arrests have yet been made, said police spokesperson Sergeant Asnath Malatji.