Travellers stranded and heartbroken after alleged theft of money meant for holy pilgrimage

Police are investigating several cases of attempted theft after travellers destined for a pilgrimage (Umrah) to Saudi Arabia were left stranded at the Cape Town International Airport in December.  

According to some travellers, and others close to them, travel agency New Age Travel allegedly failed to pay for their airline tickets despite them paying upwards of R50 000 for their Umrah packages. 

The incident has sparked an outcry on social media, with Muslim organisations and MPs calling for greater awareness around the verifiability of travel agencies. People have also accused New Age Travel agency owner Shahied Davids of failing to refund them for previous failed trips to Saudi Arabia.