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.
Shot for pointing toy gun at police
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.