A 11-year-old boy in South Africa is expected to appear in court next week after he stabbed and killed another 12-year-old boy.

Initially, the case was set to be heard in court on Tuesday before it was switched to next week to allow the accused undergo more assessments.

Reports from SABC News and News 24 indicate that the two got involved in an argument that led to the stabbing of the 12-year-old deceased.

The victim died on Wednesday 24 June at around 18:20.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the victim and a boy had an altercation. The victim sustained a stab wound to the neck and was later declared dead by paramedics at [the] scene,” police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies told the news outlets.

He added that investigations were at an early stage and would be continuing.

The alleged perpetrator was taken into custody on the same evening after one of his parents took him to the police station. He was released into the care of his parents pending the court appearance

A post-mortem examination will be conducted later to determine the exact cause of death.