Mhlontlo Local Municipality is a B4 rural Municipality incorporating Qumbu and Tsolo rural towns. It lies on the North East side of the Eastern Cape Provincial border alongside the N2 route between Mthatha and Mt. Frere and R396 between Tsolo and Maclear. It is bordered by King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality to the South, Nyandeni Local Municipality to the East, all are under the OR Tambo District Municipality, Umzimvubu Local Municipality to the North which is under Alferd Nzo District Municipality and Elundini Local Municipality to the West which is under the Joe Gqabi District Municipality.

Mhlontlo Local Municipality was established in terms of section 12 of the Local Government Municipal Structures Act (Act 117 of 1998). As a result of this act two Transitional Local Council, Qumbu TLC and Tsolo TLC and their respective Transitional Council were established to form one Municipality-Mhlontlo Local Municipality. It is one of the five municipalities that constitute OR Tambo District Municipality which falls under the Province Eastern Cape. The municipal area covers 282, 614km2 and has a population density of 73.3 people per km2.