WG Cumming was appointed as the first Magistrate for the district of Xalanga in 1878. Due to the unrest that lasted in Emigrant Tembuland from October 1880 to July 1881, his position became untenable and he had to leave his post. However, after the unrest had died down, he was re-appointed as Magistrate of Xalanga.

In November 1884 part of the district of Cala was incorporated into Xalanga. CJ Levey, formerly the Magistrate of Cala, became the Magistrate of the reconstituted district of Xalanga and the seat of the magistracy was moved to Cala.

Due to the Transkei being granted self-government on 1 November 1963, the Magistrate of Xalanga became an official of the Transkeian Government and his archives subsequent to that date were deposited in the Transkeian Archives Depot, Umtata (now Mthatha Archives Repository).

On 1 January 1968 the Divisional Councils of Mount Currie and Matatiele were amalgamated to form the new Divisional Council of Mount Currie. On 1 January 1969 the name was changed to the Divisional Council of East Griqualand (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 3467 dated 19 July 1968, Ordinance No 11 dated 3 July1968).

On 1 April 1978 the Divisional Council was abolished when East Griqualand was incorporated in the province of Natal (Alteration of Provincial Boundaries Act No 36 of 1978).

The Divisional Council of Mount Currie was established on 1 January 1932 in terms of Ordinance No 13 of 1917 (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 1361 dated 11 December 1931, Ordinance No 30 dated 7 December 1931). The division of Mount Currie was divided into six districts on 18 February 1932 (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 1373 dated 19 February 1932, Proclamation No 36 dated 18 February 1932). The first meeting of the Council was held on 22 March 1932.

On 1 January 1968 the Divisional Councils of Mount Currie and Matatiele were amalgamated to form the new Divisional Council of Mount Currie (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 3467 dated 19 July 1968, Ordinance No 11 dated 3 July 1968). On 1 January 1969 the name was changed to the Divisional Council of East Griqualand.