Question NW783 to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
03 April 2023 - NW783
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether the SA Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has been mandated by her department to act on behalf of the Muslims in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) Whether she will furnish Ms H Ismail with a copy of the agreement authorising SAHUC to act on behalf of Muslims; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) What are the terms and conditions of the mandate given to the SAHUC; (4) Whether her department deals with SAHUC as part of its operations; if not, why not; if so, (a) for how long is the mandate given to the SAHUC and (b) what is the validity of the mandate?
Reply:
1. No, the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has not been mandated by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to act on behalf of the Muslims in the Republic.
2. There is no agreement between the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the SAHUC authorising SAHUC to act on behalf of Muslims.
3. The SAHUC has not received any mandate from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
4 Yes, the Department deals with SAHUC as part of its operations, insofar as the SAHUC as the Pilgrims’ Affairs Office of South Africa liaises with the South African Consulate-General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, regarding Consular services such as deaths, injuries, and distressed pilgrims.
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