A 71-year-old allegedly killed another man in a fight during a traditional ceremony in Mhalaha in the Eastern Cape, police said on Sunday.

Captain Jackson Manatha said the two had a fight during an mgidi (coming of age) traditional ceremony near Mhlalaha on Saturday at around 5pm.

The victim was 60 years old.

"The bone of contention between the old men has not yet been established," Manatha said in a statement.

"But it is disappointing that the two old people who were supposed to lead by example were involved in crime,"

The 71-year-old man was arrested for murder and would appear in the Dutywa Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.