Update 11:25am EST: Okayafrica spoke with Yasiin Bey's official representative who maintains that the allegations against him are false. See the conversation here. Bey's camp asserts that the World Passport was used in good faith and was not fraudulent. Bey was detained for two nights and has been released. According to the representative "This is an ongoing and developing matter and there's no reason he won't be able to travel and fulfill all commitments."
Read the original post below:
Yasiin Bey (bka Mos Def) has been arrested in Cape Town and his family has been given 14 days to leave South Africa.
The rapper, whose government name is Dante Terrell Smith, was arrested Thursday at Cape Town International Airport, allegedly over using fake travel documents as he attempted to leave the country using a "World Passport". He appeared at the Bellville Magistrate Court earlier today.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) has charged him with usage of fraudulent travel documents. The matter is currently before the courts‚” Home Affairs ministerial spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete said via Twitter, according to Times LIVE. “Mr Smith has been living in SA with his family without the necessary permits‚ he was detained upon departure for using illegal travel documents.”
According to CNN’s David Mckenzie, “Government official tells CNN that Mos Def aka Yasiin Bey, arrested at Cape Town airport with fraudulent document. Given 14 days to get out,” Mckenzie wrote in a tweet.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs confirmed the arrest “for contravening the immigration laws of the Republic” in a statement appearing on Times LIVE.
Mr Smith was arrested on Thursday‚ 14 January 2016 and appeared at the Bellville Magistrate Court on Friday‚15 January 2016.He entered the country using an USA passport on a tourist visa.
On 09 January 2016‚ Mr Smith attempted to depart the country from the Cape Town International Airport by producing an unrecognised "World Passport"‚ which was declined by immigration officials.
Further investigation into the matter revealed that Mr Smith's wife‚ mother and four children had overstayed and were sojourning in the country illegally. In this regard‚ an order has been issued to Mr Smith's wife‚ mother and four children to depart the country within 14 days. This order will be monitored by immigration officials.
Minister Malusi Gigaba has reiterated that immigration officials‚ in the course of exercising their duties‚ ought to apply the law without fear of favour.
The outcomes of the court process will be communicated at a later stage.
**Correction, January 20 5:10pm EST: We previously reported Yasiin Bey was given 14 days to leave South Africa. Bey himself will appear for trial on March 8. His family was ordered to leave South Africa by January 29, 2016.
