Local government is governed by the:

• Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998 which sets out how the boundaries of municipalities and wards must be decided
• Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 which sets out categories and types of municipalities and provides for elections and other matters
• Municipal Systems Act no 32 of 2000 which sets out systems within which municipalities should operate and procedures that they should follow in their day- to-day operations
• Municipal Property Rates Act 2003 which regulates the power of a municipality to impose rates on property; exclude certain properties from rating in the national interest; make provision for municipalities to implement a transparent and fair system of exemptions, reductions and rebates through their rating policies.
• Municipal Finance Management Act, 2004 which provides for secure, sound and sustainable management of the financial affairs of municipalities.