The allocated powers and functions to the Fezile Dabi District Municipality in terms of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act No. 117 of 1998 are as follows:

• Integrated development planning for the district municipality as a whole, including a framework for IDP for the local municipalities within the area of the district,
• Bulk supply of water that affects a significant proportion of municipalities in the district,
• Bulk supply of electricity that affects a significant proportion of municipalities in the district,
• Bulk sewerage purification works and main sewage disposal that affects a significant proportion of municipalities in the district,
• Solid waste disposal sites serving the area of the district municipality as a whole,
• Municipal roads which form an integral part of a road transport system for the area of the district municipality as a whole,
• Regulation of passenger transport service,
• Municipal airports servicing the area of the district municipality as a whole,
• Municipal health services servicing the area of the district municipality as a whole,
• Fire fighting service servicing the area of the district municipality as a whole,
• The establishment, conduct and control of fresh produce markets and abattoirs serving the area of the district as a whole,
• The establishment, conduct and control of cemeteries and crematoria serving the district as a whole,
• Promotion of local tourism for the area of the district municipality,
• Municipal public works relating to any of the above functions or any other function assigned to the district municipality
• The receipt, allocation and if applicable the distribution of grants made to the district municipality,

 The imposition and collection of taxes and duties as related to the above functions or as may be assigned to the district in terms of the national legislation.