A study done by the South African Institute of Race Relations(SAIRR) has found that high levels of violent crime are not linked to poverty levels.
The Eastern Cape municipalities, with a murder rate of 54 murders per 100,000, the highest in the country, had a poverty rate of 62%. Limpopo municipalities had the lowest murder rate, but also had a poverty rate of 62%.
The Western Cape also had a high murder rate, but a low poverty rate of 27%. The study assessed 80 indicators such as demographics, education, employment, housing, access to basic services, transport, social security, health, and crime.