Suspended national police commissioner Riah Phiyega’s replacement is himself a controversial police official — he has cost taxpayers thousands of rands in legal bills fighting accusations of unfair discrimination in the Labour Court.

Lieutenant-General Johannes Phahlane‚ who heads the police’s forensic services division‚ was yesterday appointed acting national police commissioner.

Phiyega has been suspended by President Jacob Zuma on full pay with immediate effect. She learned of her suspension yesterday while briefing parliament’s police portfolio committee.

A few weeks ago Zuma gave her the opportunity to make representations as to why she should not be suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry into her fitness to hold office.