Legal battle brews over hajj operations in SA

MONOPOLISATION CLAIMS

- TASCHICA PILLAY

A LEGAL confrontation is brewing between the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) and the Sunni Jamiatul Ulama (SJU) over hajj operations in South Africa.

The SJU, a founding member of SAHUC and a body of theologians, has claimed that SAHUC wanted to monopolise the hajj sector, undermine the rights of pilgrims and violate constitutional and competition law — a claim that SAHUC denies.

On Friday, the SJU staged a peaceful protest outside SAHUC offices in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. Demonstrators held placards that read, “SAHUC cannot be referee and player”, “Who regulates SAHUC?”, “Stop using hajees money for your agenda” and “Down with the SAHUC Hajj mafia”.

In a memorandum submitted to SAHUC, SJU opposed the proposed constitutional amendments, asserting that SAHUC aimed to become the sole operator of hajj and umrah services in the country.

“The intention conveyed in this first proposed amendment is that SAHUC seeks to now serve as the sole and exclusive hajj operator for South Africa. This will entail SAHUC now intending to perform all the functions of hajj and umrah operators and travel agents.