Cape Town ranked as the most violent city in South Africa

Cape Town has been ranked as the most violent city in South Africa by a Brazilian research organisation.

The Economist compiled the data produced by Igarapé Institute‚ a think tank which monitors crime among other things. Cape Town was named as the 14th most violent city in the world.

The three most violent cities in the world are San Salvado‚ Acapulco and San Pedro Sula. Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City were the only two other African cities on the list.

• Manenberg residents take a hike... to ConstantiaResidents of one of the country's most violent suburbs on the Cape Flats went for a hike.  

Nyanga in Cape Town‚ often referred to as the murder capital of the country‚ has a reported 61 murders per 100‚000 people. Nelson Mandela Bay follows with a rate of 53 murders per 100‚000 people and Buffalo City with a rate of 45 murders per 100‚000 people.

The Economist attributes Cape Town’s high murder rate to the high level of gang activity‚ while the violence in the Eastern Cape is linked to overpopulation and poverty.

• MEC tries to calm gang violence in wine districtWestern Cape Community Safety MEC Dan Plato will visit Avian Park in Worcester on Monday‚ to restore calm to the rural neighbourhood in the Western Cape. 

South Africa’s high murder rate in these cities puts the country in the top 10 most violent nations in the world.

- TMG Digital/The Times