The Democratic Alliance has today written to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to clarify the legal status of the South African Hajj & Umrah Council (SAHUC) after it has made an announcement that all South African hajj pilgrimage tour operators would have to work directly under SAHUC from the coming season onwards.
The DA has been inundated with queries from the Muslim community, who are now fearful that they will not get hajj travel services on time, or at an inflated price under conditions of absolute monopoly.
SAHUC has claimed that the decision to “exclude the traditional model of using licensed tour operators” came as a result of a directive from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), but has produced no evidence to this effect. SAHUC must prove that this is the case. It is not a matter of doubt, or suspicion, but one of an absolute lack of public communication and evidence.
If SAHUC does not immediately release all relevant instructions, we can only assume it has decided to unilaterally monopolise the organisation of the hajj, which could drive up prices for South African pilgrims.
It is vital that the issue of SAHUC’s jurisdiction and its status be fully and finally clarified by Minister Lamola. We have additionally submitted parliamentary questions to this effect.
The DA has also written to the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission to draw its attention to the situation.
South African Muslims cannot continue to face the uncertainty and unpredictability caused by this lack of clarity. SAHUC and Minister Lamola must, as a matter of urgency, be open and transparent.
If SAHUC has taken it upon itself to create a monopoly, it must reverse its decision immediately.