A woman was arrested for allegedly throwing her new-born baby in a toilet in the Nkolokotho area near KwaMsane, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Tuesday.

"It is alleged that yesterday [Monday] the 26-year-old woman gave birth to the baby and then threw the baby in the toilet at her home while the baby was still alive," said Captain Jabulani Mdletshe.

Mdletshe said a domestic worker heard the baby crying. It sounded as if it was coming from the toilet outside.

She called other family members who then asked the woman what had happened to her unborn child.

"The family was aware that the woman was pregnant. The woman told her family that she did not know where the child was," he said.

Mdletshe said the baby was found alive in the toilet and was taken to KwaHlabisa hospital and was in a stable condition.

"The woman is due to appear at the KwaMsane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday morning," said Mdletshe.