A two-year-old girl is fighting for her life after being stabbed 15 times in a violent and shocking incident that police say occurred on New Year’s Eve in Jeffreys Bay. According to eNCA, the child’s injuries were discovered at a home in Jeffreys Bay, and a 59-year-old babysitter is accused of the attack. 

Police were alerted to the incident on New Year's Eve,  when neighbours raised the alarm, eNCA reported. The toddler’s father, Thumani Bangani, told reporters he was woken by neighbours and rushed to the babysitter’s house, where he found his daughter lying in a pool of blood with stab wounds and a broken bottle nearby. He described the moment as “horrific” and said his family immediately took her to Livingstone Hospital, where she is now in a stable but serious condition. According to eNCA, doctors confirmed 15 wounds to her head, face, back, chest and hands.

The 59-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday, 2 January 2026, and appeared briefly in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court, eNCA reported. Prosecutors charged her with child neglect and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and the matter was postponed to 12 January 2026 to allow for a formal bail hearing and the possible addition of further charges, Magistrate David Kora told the court. According to eNCA, the accused has been remanded in custody until the next appearance. 

Local law enforcement has confirmed that the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is investigating the incident alongside the Department of Social Development, The Herald reported. Acting Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso described the incident as “disturbing and shocking,” saying it was deeply concerning that the child’s safety may have been compromised while the alleged caregiver was under the influence of alcohol. According to The Herald, community members have expressed outrage at the alleged circumstances surrounding the toddler’s injuries.

While it remains unclear exactly how the toddler came to be stabbed, authorities have urged anyone with information to assist police as they continue their inquiry. The child’s condition is being closely monitored by medical staff in the hospital, and investigators say they are working to establish a clear timeline of events leading up to the attack.