The issue of organized crime is becoming of increasing significance in South Africa. However, the development of organized crime in the country has not yet reached a level comparable with that in countries such as Russia and Colombia. Organized crime remains comparatively fragmented, and high-level government structures are relatively unpenetrated. However, several factors suggest that the period for critical intervention is within the next 3 years. However, government responses to date have been inadequate. The greatest problem is the lack of coordination and information between agencies. The possibility of establishing a single national specialized investigative agency to pool resources and skills needs consideration. Lack of skills and resources currently constrains specialized units from taking on more cases. In addition, some of the largest obstacles are in the institutional weaknesses of the criminal justice system itself; the reactive components of the system particularly need reform. In addition, organized crime in South African cannot be separated from organized crime in the broader region. Finally, a central feature of any national or regional policing strategy should be an attempt to prevent the consolidation of organized crime operations. 28 reference notes