Reagen Allen was officially sworn in as the Western Cape Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight by Judge Mantame following his appointment by Premier Alan Winde.
The 33-year-old Allen is no stranger to the portfolio as he served as the Chairperson of the Standing Committee of Community Safety and Cultural Affairs and Sport since June 2019 and a member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament since December 2018.
The new Minister in Winde’s cabinet will continue to diligently serve his constituents and the greater Western Cape with the care, integrity, accountability, responsiveness, competence and innovation it requires.
Speaking on his appointment Allen indicated that he is indeed honoured to have been entrusted with the appointment of the Provincial Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight and will hit the ground running.
“Every person in our province deserves to feel safe in their communities and on their streets, no matter where they live. We are determined to work with all stakeholders, including the SAPS, local government and communities, to ensure that this important objective is realised,” Allen said.
In the first 100 days in office, Minister Allen commits to proactive rather than reactive measures to create safer communities across the Western Cape and will:
- Visit 30 police stations
- Join 30 Neighbourhood Watch walkabouts
- Participate in a number of Joint Crime Prevention Operations conducted by reaction units supported by the Department, inclusive of the K9 units and LEAP Programme
- Strengthen the already established relationship with the SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Patekile and station commanders in the province
- Engage various safety partners and political parties to ascertain how best we can collaboratively combat crime and violence.
Meanwhile, Winde went on to say that the position of the Provincial Minister of Community Safety and Police Oversight is a challenging, but important role.
“In his duties, Minister Allen will need to hit the ground running – focusing on improving policing oversight so that we can ensure that residents in this province get the best possible service from our men and women in blue.
“I know Reagan to be a passionate individual, who cares deeply about the people of the Western Cape, and I am confident that he will add the energy into this portfolio that is needed to make a real change,” Winde added.
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Picture: Reagen Allen/ Facebook