Mangwashi Phiyega is the first woman to head the South African Police.
Her appointment follows the firing of Gen Bheki Cele who had been accused of corruption.
South African President Jacob Zuma told Media that he had “decided to relieve Gen Cele of his duties”.
Gen Cele, whose predecessor was jailed for corruption, was suspended in October after it emerged he had been implicated in alleged unlawful property deals – he had denied any wrongdoing.
He played a key role in Zuma’s hard-fought campaign to be elected president in 2009.
Last year a South African corruption investigator, Thuli Madonsela, ruled that police buildings were leased from a company at inflated prices.
Madonsela – who is South Africa’s public protector, a role similar to that of an ombudsman – accused Gen Cele of being among those who were ultimately responsible for the “fatally flawed” deals.
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