HUMANSDORP - A two-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being stabbed 15 times, allegedly by her babysitter.
The incident happened in Jeffrey's Bay in the Eastern Cape on New Year's Eve.
The Humansdorp magistrate's court has postponed the case against the 59-year-old suspect to 12 January.
The two-year-old's father Thumani Bangani is still shaken as he recounts what happened to his child.
He says neighbours woke him up and told him to rush to the babysitter.
"We drove to the house and as we arrived, my child's mother ran out crying 'Thumani, my child Thumani.'
"There were already police and a crowd outside. Our baby was lying in a pool of blood with stab wounds and a broken bottle next to her," he said.
"We were all crying; it was horrific. We didn't even get a chance to ask what happened. We just rushed her to hospital."
Bangani says his daughter is in a stable condition at Livingstone Hospital.
"The injuries are horrific. Her head, face, back, chest, and hands were badly stabbed. Doctors say there are 15 wounds in total."
The 59-year-old babysitter was arrested on Friday and appeared briefly at the Humansdorp magistrate's court.
Magistrate David Kora said: "Under the circumstances, your matter will be postponed to the 12th January 2026, that is for the purposes of your formal bail application. And the state also intends to add further charges in this matter. And you'll be remanded in custody till your next court appearance."
Community members are outraged.
The babysitter faces charges of child neglect and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
- eNCA's Nceba Ntlanganiso reports.