Rulani Mokwena has been handed a two-month suspended prison sentence by the Dar El Beida Court in Algiers after being found guilty of attempting to leave Algeria with undeclared foreign currency.
According to reports, authorities at Houari Boumediene Airport intercepted Mokwena while he was preparing to depart the country. Customs officials discovered €14,200 in foreign currency that had not been declared, an offence under Algeria’s strict financial regulations governing the movement of cash across its borders.
Following court proceedings, the judge imposed a two-month suspended prison sentence on the South African coach, meaning he will not serve jail time unless he commits another offence within the suspension period.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the €14,200 and imposed a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars, approximately €200.
The incident occurred shortly after Mokwena’s departure from Algerian club MC Alger, where he had spent about eight months in charge before leaving the role. He was reportedly detained by customs officials during routine checks at the airport before the case was referred to the Dar El Beida Court, which handles legal matters related to the airport.
Mokwena’s situation briefly drew attention from diplomatic authorities, with the South African embassy in Algiers confirming it had been informed of the matter and was providing consular support.
The ruling now closes a legal episode that emerged just days after the coach’s exit from Algerian football.