During the first war of independence, Heidelberg served as capital of the South African Republic, from 1880 to 1883.

[4] The municipal council consists of twenty-six members elected by mixed-member proportional representation.

Thirteen councillors are elected by first-past-the-post voting in thirteen wards, while the remaining thirteen are chosen from party lists so that the total number of party representatives is proportional to the number of votes received.

In the election of 1 November 2021 the African National Congress (ANC) won a plurality of seats on the council.

He allegedly received cash payments totaling R100 million.