Durban - A 31-year-old woman and her 55-year-old mother appeared briefly in the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court on Monday following the death of the younger woman's three-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Hundreds of protesters converged on the court, in Durban, to demand that neither woman be granted bail.
There was a heavy police presence at the court with officers controlling access.
The grandmother, Salatchee Venilla Basanich, was arrested on Thursday after her granddaughter Jamie Faith Naidoo was declared dead at their home in Chatsworth's Havenside area.
It was not immediately known when Patricia Kershie Ishwalal was arrested, but both have been charged with murder.
National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the case had been postponed to Thursday.
Protesters from various civilian, religious, and political groups were outside the court buildings, and one group chanted “bring back the death penalty”.
Many carried placards that read: “Stand up Against Child Abuse”.
Numerous television crews and photographers were outside the court while reporters attempted to gain access to Courtroom C to cover the women's first appearance.
Sapa