Rulani Mokwena responds to his arrest in Algeria – Things were blown out of proportion

Celebrated South African coach Rulani Mokwena has cleared the air about his arrest and detention in Algeria for attempting to leave the country with undeclared foreign currency, which is against the country’s strict financial regulations.

The 38-year-old was taken to court and handed a two-month suspended sentence by the authorities.

“Mokwena was detained after being found with 15 000 US Dollars in cash. In Algeria, you can’t travel with more than $7 500 … But what I know is that he’s now been released and is waiting to depart for Libya via Turkey,” journalist Nazim Bessol told Thabiso Mosia’s show.

“We have just received an update from the court that Mokwena was prosecuted and has been fined and also handed a two-month suspended sentence after being found with 14 200 euros (=$15 000).

“He was prosecuted for attempting to take foreign currency out of the country,” he concluded.

Was it $15,000? Rulani Mokwena opens up

“Even more interesting was that, in terms of the legalities, it was said that the maximum a foreigner could take out of the country was 5000, and if you multiply that by four, it’s 20000, and the money was less than 20000. Things were blown completely out of proportion,” Mokwena told Radio947

Mokwena has since been unveiled by Libyan outfit Al-Ittihad, who are chasing continental glory. The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician has explained his decision to quit MC Alger for the challenge.

“There was a better opportunity, an opportunity to drive a bigger sporting project,” he justified his move.

Mokwena will now re-unite, once again, with Thembinkosi Lorch, who signed for the club a couple of months ago alongside Azi Ki.