A 44-year-old Soweto man was arrested after allegedly pouring acid over his wife on Thursday, Gauteng police said.

The woman, 42, was rushed to a local hospital in a critical condition after she sustained serious injuries to her face, breast and legs, said Warrant Officer Kay Makhubele.

"It happened at the home in Soweto which the couple used to share before they were separated."

The man paid the house a visit on Thursday. After a conversation with his wife, he left and returned with a bucket containing a mixture of acid and water. He allegedly poured it over her and fled.

Neighbours alerted police and the woman was rushed to hospital in an ambulance. The man was later arrested at the Jabulani Mall.

He was expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate's Court on a charge of attempted murder.