‘How Do You Steal Your Salary?’: Rulani Mokwena Breaks Silence On Algeria Airport Cash Drama

Rulani Mokwena Breaks Silence On Algeria Airport Cash Controversy

South African football coach Rulani Mokwena has broken his silence over the controversy surrounding cash he was carrying at an airport in Algeria, asking: “How do you steal your salary?” The former Mamelodi Sundowns coach said the situation at the airport was misunderstood and later “blown completely out of proportion.”

Mokwena was speaking during a conversation with veteran broadcaster Robert Marawa, where he explained that the money in question was meant to upgrade travel seats for members of his technical staff while travelling to Istanbul.

Mokwena had previously worked as the head coach of Mouloudia Club d’Alger (MCA), one of Algeria’s biggest football clubs. During his tenure, the club had been performing strongly in domestic competitions, with Mokwena noting that the team was leading the championship and had won the Algerian Super Cup.

Airport Upgrade Attempt Led To Cash Situation

Explaining the events that sparked the controversy, Mokwena said the situation started while the group was preparing to travel to Istanbul.

“We were on our way to Istanbul. It was myself and three other staff members and I felt a little bit guilty that I was the only one booked into business class,” Mokwena said during the interview with Robert Marawa.

“We then got to the airport and we were told we could upgrade the seats for the staff at the counter.”

According to Mokwena, the process changed when airport officials said the upgrades could only be paid in cash.

“To cut a very long story short, we got to the counter and then we were told we could only pay cash.”

The coach explained that the group then attempted to arrange the payment.

“We tried to get some cash to pay and just to upgrade the seats and after we were told we had to do it online.”

However, the online payment process failed.

“We tried to do it online and it was rejected because it had shut down or the time lapsed, whatever the reason,” Mokwena said.

“Then we were still stuck with the cash and there was no one else that we could hand over the money to and that was the scenario.”

“How Do You Steal Your Salary?”

Mokwena also responded to speculation about the source of the cash, stressing that it was money he had earned while working in Algeria.

“But I don’t know if you can steal your salary or money that you’ve worked very, very hard for nine months,” he said.

“How do I work for a club, get a salary paid and still have to declare that I work?”

The coach said his employment with Mouloudia Club d’Alger (MCA) was widely known.

“The public knows that I was the head coach of Mouloudia in Algeria. We were number one in the championship and we had just won the Super Cup.”

Cash Amount Within Legal Limits

Mokwena also addressed questions about the legality of carrying the cash.

“In terms of the legalities it was said that the maximum a foreigner could leave the country with was US$5,000 (about R92,000).”

He pointed out that the travelling group consisted of four people.

“If you multiply US$5,000 times four, it’s more or less US$20,000 (about R368,000), and the money was way less than that.”

Mokwena said he accepted responsibility for holding the money because he was leading the travelling group.

“As the head coach of the group and I’m responsible for being in possession of it.”

Reflecting on the incident, the South African coach maintained that the controversy escalated unnecessarily.

“But it is what it is. Things were blown completely out of proportion.”

The interview has since sparked widespread discussion among football fans, with many reacting to Mokwena’s explanation and the circumstances surrounding the airport incident.