Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega , commonly known as Riah Phiyega, was the National Police Commissioner of the South African Police Service. She was appointed to the office by South African President Jacob Zuma on 12 June 2012 and was the first woman to hold the post . Phiyega was suspended on 14 October 2015 by the President following a recommendation of the Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the deaths of protesting miners in Marikana in 2012.