Algiers — Former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Rhulani Mokwena has appeared before an Algerian court where he received a two-month suspended prison sentence, plus a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars (approximately R6,500) for currency violations.
Mokwena was detained at Houari Boumediene Airport in Algiers on Sunday, 15 March 2026, after Algerian customs officials discovered undeclared foreign currency in his luggage as he attempted to leave the country.
He was reportedly found with about €14 200 (about R274 000 or $15 000) hidden in multiple places, including a shoe and inside a book.
Authorities confiscated the money during a routine inspection.
Mokwena was prosecuted in court on Monday, 16 March 2026, for violating Algeria’s strict foreign currency export regulations, which limit undeclared cash to roughly $7 500.
He received a two-month suspended prison sentence plus a fine of 50 000 Algerian dinars (under R6 500).
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after Mokwena parted ways with MC Alger by mutual consent.
The club activated a contractual exit clause requiring it to pay him two months’ salary, ending his eight-month tenure during which he had kept the side top of Ligue 1.
Reports indicate the ambitious South African was set to join Libyan club Al-Ittihad SC, potentially reuniting with Bafana Bafana striker Thembinkosi Lorch.
The South African embassy in Algiers confirmed it was notified of the arrest and was providing consular assistance.
“The mission is in touch with Mr. Mokwena,” it stated.
No further travel restrictions have been reported, and Mokwena has not commented publicly.
Algerian media described the case as a standard enforcement of currency controls rather than a criminal smuggling probe.
*Disclaimer: This article was compiled with the assistance of AI tool Grok on X and may contain inaccuracies
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