The Metsimaholo Local Municipality is located in the Northern Free State District Municipality now known as the Fezile Dabi District Municipality.  Metsimaholo means "big water" in Sesotho, due to the abundance of this resource in the area.  The Metsimaholo Local Municipality (MLM) was established in 2000 through the amalgamation of the then Sasolburg, Deneysville and the Oranje Transitional Local Councils. It was formerly known as Sasolburg municipality (changed 01/10/2000).

The major towns/areas include Sasolburg, Viljoensdrif, Coalbrook, Zamdela, Deneysville and Oranjeville.