This study investigates the enduring legacy of apartheid in South Africa and its influence on contemporary crime patterns. It aims to critically examine how historical policies of racial segregation, economic exclusion, and systemic violence continue to shape socio-economic disparities, social trauma, and criminal behavior in marginalized communities. Despite the formal end of apartheid over three decades ago, South Africa continues to experience high levels of crime and social inequality. The structural inequalities and intergenerational trauma resulting from apartheid-era policies remain underexplored in relation to contemporary crime, creating a gap in understanding how historical injustices contribute to current criminal trends. The study provides a comprehensive analysis linking apartheid-era policies to present-day crime, integrating both historical and recent research. It offers actionable insights for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to design interventions that address the root causes of crime while promoting social cohesion and justice. The study employs a systematic, qualitative research approach, combining document analysis, literature review, and policy analysis. It reviews historical records, socio-economic reports, law enforcement data, and contemporary studies to identify patterns and relationships between apartheid legacies and current crime dynamics. Systematic Approach: Identification of key apartheid policies and socio-economic structures, Analysis of their long-term impact on spatial segregation, economic inequality, and social trauma, Examination of contemporary crime patterns in historically disadvantaged communities, Integration of stakeholder roles, policies, and interventions to assess co-impact. Apartheid policies have created persistent socio-economic inequalities and spatial segregation that contribute to elevated crime rates. Intergenerational trauma exacerbates social instability and perpetuates cycles of violent and property crime. Multi-stakeholder collaboration including government, law enforcement, community leaders, CBOs, oversight bodies, and private security is critical for effective crime prevention. Evidence-based interventions addressing structural inequality, trauma, and community engagement can reduce crime and promote social cohesion. The study concludes that addressing South Africa’s crime challenges requires acknowledging and mitigating the enduring effects of apartheid. Integrated, evidence-based, and community-focused strategies are essential to breaking the cycle of crime, fostering equity, and enhancing social stability. The findings provide theoretical, policy, and practical guidance for tackling the complex socio-historical roots of crime in post-apartheid South Africa