DIRCO pledges support for South African Hajj pilgrims
DIRCO continues to provide consular support to South African nationals performing their religious duties, including Hajj.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it remains committed to providing consular support to South African nationals performing religious duties, including Hajj and Umrah, while working to uphold South Africa’s positive reputation in Saudi Arabia.
This follows the National Assembly’s unanimous approval of a motion, tabled by an opposition party last week, to protect the rights of Hajj pilgrims.
The party urged urgent intervention in the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) controversy, denouncing SAHUC’s alleged attempts to monopolize Hajj travel and pointing to serious misconduct allegations.
Safeguard pilgrims’ rights
The motion urged DIRCO to protect pilgrims’ rights, called on the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission (CRL Rights Commission) to investigate misconduct allegations at SAHUC, demanded transparency in Hajj operations and implementation of the Nusuk Hajj system, and requested urgent action to stop the creation of a monopoly in Hajj travel that could increase costs for pilgrims.
DIRCO has acknowledged the National Assembly’s adoption of a motion without notice regarding the “Resolution on the SAHUC controversy”. However, the department reaffirmed the information provided in its previous statement dated 15 August 2025.
The department said that on 30 June 2025, the Ministerial Committee on Efficient Management of the Annual Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages submitted its final report to DIRCO.
“The department is currently engaging with the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities to ensure alignment with constitutional and community-based principles.”
New operational framework
Meanwhile, the department reported that Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new operational framework to manage Hajj for South Africans, starting in 2026.
Under this model, DIRCO explained that the traditional reliance on licensed tour operators will end.
“Instead, all service contracts will be signed directly with Saudi service providers, who will assume full responsibility for service delivery within the Kingdom. Coordination will be managed through the Nusuk Masar electronic platform, under the oversight of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.”
In a statement last month, the department said the CRL Rights Commission continues to guide cultural, religious, and linguistic communities on organising and coordinating their affairs.
The Commission supports these communities to operate independently of state interference while protecting their religious rights and freedoms.
Hajj will next take place from the evening of Sunday, 24 May 2026, to Friday, 29 May 2026.