By Ragheema McClean
The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has confirmed it will no longer facilitate the Hajj process, including accrediting pilgrims for Hajj 1447AH. From 2026, South African pilgrims will be required to register, select, and secure their Hajj packages exclusively through the Saudi Arabia–run Nusuk Hajj platform.
The announcement comes alongside confirmation of a sharp reduction in South Africa’s Hajj quota, dropping from 2,500 to 1,140 pilgrims.
SAHUC President Moaaz Cassoo described the move as a major blow for thousands of South Africans who have been waiting years to perform the pilgrimage.
“SAHUC will no longer be facilitating the Hajj process for pilgrims in South Africa. The main concern is that our quota of 2,500 for South Africa has been reduced to 1,140. Going forward, every South African pilgrim who was registered on our system and waiting in the queue for the last 8–10 years has now been removed. Every person will have to register online via the ministry’s portal,” Cassoo explained.
Cassoo added that several travel operators have expressed concern over the new regulations and SAHUC’s role.
“It’s unfortunate that we are in this position, and whether it can be changed or not, Allah alone knows. We will continue engaging with the ministry and the relevant authorities, but I think it’s a rather slim chance that we have. Somebody has got to own up—it’s no use sitting back and blaming each other,” he said.
Listen to the full interview with SAHUC below.
Operators weigh in
Yasser Mookadam of Yusra Tours said while the migration to Nusuk was always expected, the timing and reduced quota came as a shock.
“This was always inevitable as part of the Kingdom’s global mission. What came as a surprise is that it happened so soon. The biggest shock for us is the decrease in quota.”
He further responded to reports that operators had initiated a meeting with the Saudi Embassy.
“This is not true. These operators did not call a meeting with the Saudi embassy. The embassy itself requested a meeting with operators due to the noise and uncertainty in South Africa,” he stressed.
Khidmatul ‘Awaam Pilgrim Services (KAPS) expressed concern but reaffirmed its commitment to supporting pilgrims despite the digital shift.
“We acknowledge with heartfelt concern that from Hajj 1447 (2026), South African hujjaaj will now be placed under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Nusuk system. As this new era begins, we reaffirm: we will not abandon our hujjaaj. We will guide, support, and stand by them. Our mission has never been limited to flights and hotels—we will continue to provide the care, compassion, and advocacy that no online platform can replicate,” the organisation said.
Hajj Watch calls for government intervention
Meanwhile, Hajj Watch Chairperson Jakes Rawat said the developments have raised new questions around SAHUC’s legitimacy.
“In the last 24 hours, a diplomatic note from the Royal Embassy in Pretoria was leaked on social media, indicating a quota of 1,140 for South African pilgrims and confirming the use of Nusuk. However, we need more clarity,” said Rawat.
Rawat further calls for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to intervene and clarify the future of the hajj industry.
“We urgently call on DIRCO to make a statement and ensure more certainty in how Hajj is conducted going forward.”
VOC News has reached out to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Photo: VOCfm/Stock
