A 35-year-old gardener was arrested after a domestic worker was found dead in a pool of blood in Parktown, Johannesburg police said on Tuesday.

Captain Cynthia Magoai said when the woman, who lived on her employer's premises, did not arrive at work, he called their security company.

"Security guards arrived on scene, opened her room and found her body in a pool of blood with a stab wound in her upper body."

She was last seen on Sunday, drinking alcohol with the alleged killer. The man was, who works as a gardener, was arrested in Parkwood on Tuesday. He would appear in court soon.

- Sapa