Suspended crime intelligence chief Richard Mdluli's lawyer has confirmed receiving an e-mail announcing his suspension, according to reports on Monday.

Ike Motloung told The New Age newspaper: "I received the e-mail late on Saturday evening and I had not even opened it."

Motloung said he only checked his e-mail after seeing a report on a television news bulletin announcing the suspension. He told EyeWitnessNews he planned to investigate the legality of the way in which the suspension letter was served.

"They think I'm waiting, looking at my laptop throughout the night, waiting for their unannounced e-mail. I'm not sure whether legally this is proper service."

The police said the letter was served on Motloung because officials could not find Mdluli.

Also on Monday, Motloung was expected to discuss with a magistrate Mdluli's legal fees for a murder inquest. He has lost a bid to get legal aid to pay for a lawyer.

Acting national police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi announced Mdluli's suspension on Sunday.

"The notice of suspension of General Mdluli has been served on General Mdluli's lawyer," Mkhwanazi's spokesman Lindela Mashigo said.

Mashigo said the suspension related to allegations that had emerged from the ongoing court inquest into the murder of Mdluli's former lover's husband, Oupa Ramogibe, in 1999.

Last year, Mdluli faced fraud and corruption charges relating to alleged misuse of a crime intelligence fund, the purchase of luxury vehicles and the hiring of family members.

He was suspended, but both sets of charges were withdrawn and Mdluli was reinstated as crime intelligence head in March this year.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa announced on May 9 that Mdluli would be moved from crime intelligence to a position in the office of the deputy national police commissioner for operations, Fannie Masemola.

A few days later non-profit organisation Freedom Under Law (FUL) applied for a urgent interdict to prevent Mdluli from serving in the police service. FUL also applied for an interdict against Mthethwa, preventing him from moving Mdluli to a new position before a review into his reinstatement could be heard.