The City Council is the municipality’s highest decision-making body. Its members are drawn from the district municipalities inside the metropolitan area; each district is represented by its mayor and by one-fifth of its elected representatives. The Metropolitan Mayor chairs the Council for a five-year term.

Besides handling its own responsibilities, the Metropolitan Municipality Council may review and authorize certain acts of district municipalities for example, it examines district budgets and can amend them to ensure coordinated investments and services across the metropolis. It may also issue directives and regulations to promote solidarity, unity, and consistency in the services provided by district municipalities.