"This acting appointment is aimed at bringing stability in the police intelligence environment," newly-appointed national police commissioner Riah Phiyega said in a statement on Tuesday.

Ngcobo's full title would be acting divisional commissioner for crime intelligence and protection and security services.

He stands in for Lt-Gen Mdluli who has been suspended. Mdluli may not do police work under an interim order by the High Court in Pretoria, which allows for a review of why charges of murder and fraud he had faced were withdrawn.

The police also say they served him with a notice of intention to suspend, but he has disputed this in the Labour Court. The Labour Court stayed judgment on Monday pending resolution of the Pretoria order.

Phiyega said: "[Major]General Ngcobo brings to the acting role good experience in the service, having served for 17 years in the protection services and intelligence areas."

He joined the service in 1994 and has been promoted through various ranks. He had often been recognised for "excellence in his work", receiving numerous medals.

With his "grasp of management values and undercover experience", Ngcobo would seek to restore the reputation of crime intelligence activities.

"We congratulate [him] on his new acting role and look forward to his contributions towards the attainment of the safety and security of South Africa's citizens," she said.

According to its website, the police's crime intelligence division is responsible for managing information gathering, centralised and integrated intelligence management, co-ordination and analysis.