Rapper Mos Def given 14 days to leave South Africa after passport arrest

Rapper Mos Def has been given 14 days to leave South Africa after he was arrested for violating immigration laws. The 42-year-old, who now goes by the name Yasiin Bey, appeared in a South African court after he was detained while trying to fly from Cape Town airport. He produced an unrecognised “world passport” when he tried to leave the country. The American star, who was born Dante Smith, had overstayed his tourist visa, obtained in 2013.

Further investigation into the matter revealed that Mr Smith’s wife, mother and four children had overstayed and were sojourning in the country illegally

South African government spokesman

The New York-born star is now banned from South Africa for five years but has been allowed to appeal. He had been living in Cape Town since May 2013, it was reported. As well as being nominated for six Grammy Awards, he has appeared in a number of films, including The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Be Kind Rewind and The Italian Job.

We are all fans guys… but the law is the law

South African Department of Home Affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete

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