WILLOWVALE police outside Butterworth in Eastern Cape shot dead a suspect on Saturday who pointed a toy gun at them.

Captain Jackson Manatha said police had come across the suspect in Lubomvini village when they were searching for those responsible for house break-ins. The man was with seven others.

Manatha said when police approached the group, seven fled in different directions but Babini Somdaka pointed what looked liked a firearm at police.

"He ran towards the police whilst pointing a firearm and police responded, killing him instantly in self defence.

"Police recovered the firearm which turned out to be a toy gun," Manatha said.

He said an inquest docket had been opened and that the other suspects were still at large.