Adv. Yashina Pillay

Yashina Pillay is the Head of the Department of Community Safety within the Western Cape Government as of 1 January 2021 having acted in the position since July 2020. She holds a BA (Law) and LLB degree and is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. She was appointed in January 2016 as the Chief Director Secretariat for Safety & Security in the Department with core functions being implementation of the Western Cape Safety Plan and oversight over the South African Police Service and Municipal Police services. Prior to her appointment to the Western Cape Provincial Government, Yashina worked in the local government sector holding the positions of Head of Department Community Development, Regional Director Health, Social Development, Sport & Recreational Services and Director Labour Law Advisory Services. She has vast experience in the NGO sector having held, amongst others, the position of Regional Director Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West & Limpopo Provinces at the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO). Yashina started off her career in 1997 as an Information Analyst at the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Cape Town. She was then appointed as an Evidence Analyst at the TRC, preparing amnesty applications for countrywide hearings. Working at the TRC was a life altering experience as it moved her away from her intended career path of becoming a lawyer in the corporate sector to becoming involved in human rights and social crime prevention. She is currently leading a process together with Provincial Minister Allen to reposition the Department of Community Safety as a more service orientated department responsive to the needs of communities in the Western Cape.