Tributes paid to late West Rand mayor
THE ANC in the West Rand is due to hold a special caucus meeting to appoint an acting mayor for the City of Mogale local municipality following the death of Patrick Naga Lipudi on Sunday.
Lipudi became one of South Africa’s first councillors to dismantle the 2016 DA-led coalition governments in Gauteng and Nelson Mandela Bay.
He replaced DA mayor Mike Hollenstein in June 2017 after a vote of no confidence was passed against him.
However, his tenure as mayor was not smooth sailing – in October 2017 the EFF fired six of its members for passing his budget vote.
Lipudi died at Helen Joseph Hospital following a short illness. He was 59.
Party insiders said that the ANC would have a caucus meeting today to discuss his replacement, as well as preparations for Lipudi’s burial.
Yesterday, party members at Mogale City in Krugersdorp held closed meetings with Premier David Makhura about the funeral decorum: whether it should be a full civic funeral or a special provincial funeral.
Lipudi was serving in the provincial ANC executive under Makhura.
All details are expected to be revealed after the special caucus meeting.
The Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lebogang Maile, said: “On behalf of the Gauteng provincial government we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Lipudi family, his colleagues in exco and his organisation, the ANC.
“His sudden death is not only a tragic reminder of our mortality as human beings, but his departure robs the community of Mogale City of one of its most upright, incorruptible and humble servants, who was dedicated to the service of the people.”
The ANC in Gauteng has also expressed its sadness and condolences to the family. Lipudi was an “unassuming and humble person who was a true servant of the people”, it said.