Late Patrick Lipudi described as ‘accessible mayor’
Mogale City Mayor Patrick Lipudi has passed away at the age of 50 following a short illness.
Lipudi died at Helen Joseph hospital in Johannesburg on Sunday morning.
Family spokesperson Sabelo Ngwane confirmed to Jacaranda FM News that Lipudi was admitted to Helen Joseph several times during the festive season before his death.
Ngwane says the family is devastated.
"He was in and out of hospital around December and we thought he was going to recover. He had his Christmas and New Year with his children and we just learned this morning that he was no more, he gave up.
"We cannot disclose the illness but what we can say is that he's been in and out of hospital. He did not pass away as a result of anything suspicious at the moment. We think the illness is the cause of death."
Lipudi became the mayor in June 2017 after the African National Congress (ANC) wrestled back control of the municipality from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Ngwane described Lipudi an accessible politician.
"He was very accessible to his own comrades and he took that skill to the municipality where even the pensioners would come in our office now and then without having an appointment.
"He didn't believe in theories, he believed in practical stuff. That's how I can remember him."
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