Rulani Mokwena handed suspended sentence after legal scare in Algeria

Rulani Mokwena. Picture courtesy of MC Alger/Instagram

Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Athletic Club coach Rulani Mokwena has been fined and given a two-month suspended sentence following a legal scare in Algeria.

Mokwena recently parted ways with MC Alger on a mutual agreement after joining the club at the start of the 2025/26 season. The highly-rated mentor took over a job at the Algerian giants after leaving his position at Wydad AC, where he spent only one season.

The South African-born coach is on the move again after agreeing to join Al Ittihad FC, taking over another big project in his career. Mokwena has left Algeria after being detained at Houari Boumediene Airport on Sunday for carrying a large amount of cash as he prepared to leave the country.

Mokwena was reportedly carrying $15,000 [approximately R248,850], exceeding the Algerian limit of $7,500 [approximately R124,425]. As a result of the infringement of the law, Mokwena was detained, and he has since received a fine and a two-month suspended sentence.

NAZIM BESSOL CLARIFIES RULANI MOKWENA’S SITUATION IN ALGERIA

Rulani Mokwena. Picture courtesy of MC Alger/Facebook

According to the credible African journalist Nazim Bessol, Mokwena was found guilty of attempting to transport foreign currency out of the country. “He was not really arrested, you know, but there’s a law in Algeria that you are forbidden to travel with cash. Like with every country, the maximum cash that you can travel with in Algeria is $7,500, and from what we are getting, Mokwena had $15,000 in cash,” Bessol said on Radio 2000.

“We have just received an update from the court that Mokwena was prosecuted, he has been fined, and handed a two-month suspended sentence. As I said, you have to make the declaration of the money and where it’s coming from; if not, they take the money and charge you.”

In his new job in Libya, Mokwena is set to reunite with SA winger Thembinkosi Lorch, who joined the club during the 2026 January transfer window. Mokwena and Lorch have had a successful working relationship after having stints together at Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Wydad Athletic Club.

Meanwhile, Mokwena will also reunite with Stephane Aziz Ki, the talented attacker he signed while in the colours of the Red Castle in the Moroccan top-flight.