A South African man is in custody after allegedly stabbing his 16-month-old daughter to death during a domestic dispute near in Western Cape.

The girl was murdered around 15:30 on Thursday, according to Captain Malcolm Pojie.

“Whilst fighting with his partner over work on a farm in a neighboring town (Witsand), the suspect grabbed hold of the child, took her outside the dwelling, where he fatally stabbed the child,” he said.

Pojie said the child’s 24-year-old mother had sustained minor injuries during the attack.

He is expected to appear on charges of murder in the Swellendam Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Yolisa Matakata said she was appalled to hear about the child’s murder, and said justice must prevail.