After reviewing the development of the critical tradition in South African criminology over recent decades, the introductory paper places this book in the context of contemporary debates about crime and crime control in a transitional society. The first essay addresses the implications of transition in South Africa for crime and criminal justice, with attention to the relationship between crime and politics before and after the inauguration of the new majority government in 1994. This is followed by an essay that examines the features of organized crime in South Africa compared with the mainstream paradigm for organized crime. In contrast to the mainstream paradigm of organized crime, this essay concludes that South African organized crime, particularly as manifested in the Western Cape, directly involves government officials and mechanisms, has features that benefit the social and economic life of local communities, and is part of a trend toward a primitive, exploitative capitalism that is dominating the global economy. The third essay considers both sides of the debate on public policy toward gun control in South Africa and the possible consequences of adopting strict or lenient gun controls for predatory crime and interpersonal violence. The fourth essay examines the trend in the prevalence and characteristics of murder after the end of apartheid and the abolition of capital punishment under the new government. This is followed by an essay that examines juvenile justice law in South Africa, namely, the Child Justice Bill pending before the Parliament. Attention is given to diversion provisions. Other essays address barriers to the implementation of South Africa's domestic violence legislation, the effectiveness of crime prevention programs and policies, trends in policing research, and the failure of the new government to reduce the prison population and improve prison conditions that existed under apartheid. Chapter references and notes and a subject index