Dihlabeng Local Municipality was established in terms of Section 12 of the Local Government Structures Act 117 of 1998, after the first general local government elections of 5 December 2000, which heralded the final phase of local government reform as envisaged in 1994 at the onset of the process of democratisation. It is a Category B municipality situated within the boundaries of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in the eastern Free State. Bethlehem is situated approximately 240km north-east of Bloemfontein, 140km east of Kroonstad and 90km west of Harrismith. The town is strategically situated in the heart of the picturesque north-eastern Free State and originally developed as a service centre. Growth is stimulated by the strategic location of the area, which is situated adjacent to the N5 between Bloemfontein and Durban and serves as a central regional centre. The scenic town of Clarens, often referred to as the “Switzerland” of South Africa, is situated approximately 34k

Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality is situated in the Free State province. It was established in terms of the Provincial Gazette No. 14 of 28 February 2000, issued in terms of Section 21 of the Local Government Notice and Municipal Demarcation Act 27 of 1998. Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality was established on 5 December 2000. Cities / Towns: Harrismith, Kestell, Phuthaditjhaba

Mantsopa Local Municipality forms part of the eastern Free State and falls within the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality. It borders the Kingdom of Lesotho in the east, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to the west, Naledi Local Municipality to the south, and Masilonyana and Setsoto to the north. The area is accessible via the N8 and R26 roads, which transverse the area. A railway line that runs along these routes services the area. The municipality incorporates five small towns, which accommodate a large proportion of the total population of Mantsopa. These small towns serve the surrounding rural community. Cities / Towns: Excelsior, Hobhouse, Ladybrand, Thaba Patchoa, Tweespruit

Phumelela Local Municipality is situated within the regional boundaries of Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality. Vrede (‘at peace') rests in the north-eastern Free State about 20km east of the N3, close to the Mpumalanga border. Vrede is surrounded by undulating Highveld hills. It is 220km from northern Johannesburg and about 30km from Cornelia on the R102 to Warden and Harrismith, on the Volksrust-Newcastle Road. It is the spine of the Drakensburg off the N3 highway from Durban to Mbombela (previously Nelspruit), and the alternative Durban to Johannesburg, and also on the main route from Johannesburg via Newcastle to the North Coast and Zululand. Travellers from down south can use it to make their way to the Kruger National Park. Warden is a town situated on the N3 highway between Johannesburg and Durban. The town has one of the largest Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa, with seating for 1 750 people. Memel is a Russian word meaning ‘surrounded by water' and is named after

Setsoto Local Municipality is situated in the eastern Free State province within the regional boundaries of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality. The municipality was established in terms of Section 14 of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998 and was published in Provincial Gazette No. 184 dated 28 September 2000. Setsoto Local Municipality is a Category B municipality. Cities / Towns: Clocolan, Ficksburg, Marquard, Senekal