A woman has been arrested with human tissue in her possession at a Durban hospital, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Sunday.

Superintendent Muzi Mngomezulu said the 33-year-old assistant nurse was caught with a baby's umbilical cord in the hospital's parking lot at 2.15pm.

At her house, they later discovered four bottles containing human body parts in her fridge.

"We believe the parts were destined for muti markets," said Mngomezulu.

Police were trying to determine whether she was a member of a syndicate. She had been charged under the Human Tissue Act.

Mngomezulu said the police were withholding the name of the hospital until it could be confirmed whether the facility was involved. - Sapa