Qaanitah Hunter| Cii News| 10 October 2012

The case against the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) brought by two elderly aspirant pilgrims was delayed until Friday, 12 October 2012, in the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday.

The court noted that lawyers for SAHUC failed to file the answering affidavit by 2 October 2012, a deadline issued by the court.

The pilgrims, Aziza and Ahmed Abrahams had their Hajj accreditation cancelled after initially being approved by the regulator and have now requested the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate SAHUC for any alleged irregular or corrupt activities and are demanding that they be granted permission to go for hajj this year.

According to the lawyer for the pair, Zehir Omar, SAHUC presented the responding affidavit at court before the proceedings began on Tuesday resulting in the adjournment of the case.

“The court stood this matter down or adjourned the matter for argument to come in on Friday 12 October 2012 at 11:30,” Omar said.

He said that the issue of the costs due to the adjournments will be heard in the next court appearance.

“What is of significance is that an advocate from the office of public prosecutions was in court to monitor proceedings,” he told Cii news.

While it is in agreement with all concerned that this case is to give relief to Aziza and Ahmed Abrahams, Omar said the case has a greater significance.

“A more important and significant aspect of the case is to send a message to SAHUC that any impropriety will be met with criminal charges of corruption and this case will be a deterrent to SAHUC never in future to do anything irregular pertaining to administration,” he explained.

A decision is due to be delivered on Friday with regards to the couple’s Hajj travels and Omar clarified that Part B of the case will be heard later this year.

“Part B will include a full on investigation of the affairs of SAHUC that will involve the advocate for the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.

Attorney Yousha Tayob, SAHUC’s legal representative, withheld comment.