Where is the mayor?
Word was that Lipudi, the Mogale City Municipal Manager Pringle Raedani, Ronnie Moloi, a few MMCs and a 27-year-old-female clerk from the Tender Department left for a two-week trip to China on Thursday, 12 October.
Recently the News reported on Mogale City Mayor, Patrick Lipudi allegedly leaving for China right after Mogale City was struck by a devastating natural disaster.
Word was that Lipudi, the Mogale City Municipal Manager Pringle Raedani, Ronnie Moloi, a few MMCs and a 27-year-old-female clerk from the Tender Department left for a two-week trip to China on Thursday, 12 October.
According to Amanda de Lange, Freedom Front Plus councillor, all big trips, such as this one, should be brought up during the monthly council meetings, where they will either be approved or declined.
Also Read: Mayor Lipudi chased away by community
However, when the News contacted a number of councillors, it became clear that few of them were even remotely aware of the international trip, while some only found out about it on Tuesday, 10 October. This means the issue was not tabled during the last council meeting at the end of September, nor was it approved.
But, according to the mayor’s spokesperson, Nkosana Zali, it was a delegation trip which was led by the MMC for Economic Services and Rural Development, Paul Molapo. He also said that Lipudi was not taking the trip.
He went on to explain that the principal objective of the trip was to encourage and inspire investors to choose Mogale City as an investment destination.
According to him the council wasn’t informed of the trip during September’s council meeting as it wasn’t finalised at the time.
When asked about the funding for the trip, he said that in the interest of Brics (an alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the Chinese Embassy and other host companies bore the costs.
Also Read: ANC takes back Mogale City
He also denied that a 27-year-old female tender clerk, who might not have the necessary experience, joined them on the trip.
However, the mayor’s whereabouts remained uncertain as the News continued to receive conflicting reports. One report suggested that the delegation had left without the mayor while the other suggested that an acting mayor had been appointed, which might indicate that Lipudi had indeed left for China.
More recently a reliable source indicated that the mayor has been spotted at the municipality whilst another suggested that the MMCs had returned while the mayor remained in China.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister websites:
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
