(AllHipHop News) According to reports, Mos Def (aka Yasiin Bey) has been arrested in Cape Town, South Africa. The Brooklyn rapper, born Dante Smith, was taken into custody at the Cape Town International Airport over charges related to a “fraudulent passport.”
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete addressed the situation via Twitter, and he revealed Mos and his family have 14 days to depart the country.
[ALSO READ: Reports Mos Def Is Banned From Entering U.S. Are A “Complete Lie” Says Friend]
With regards 2 Mr Smith (Mos Def), SAPS has charged him with usage of fraudulent travel documents.The matter is currently before the courts
— Mayi (@MTshwete) January 15, 2016
Mr Smith has been living in SA with his family without the necessary permits, he was detained upon departure for using illegal travel docs
— Mayi (@MTshwete) January 15, 2016
Mr Smith came into SA with a legitimate US passport but since overstayed his visitors permit.
— Mayi (@MTshwete) January 15, 2016
Mr Smith was departing SA using a "World Passport", SA does not recognise a "World Passport".
— Mayi (@MTshwete) January 15, 2016
The Department Of Home Affairs has given Mr Smith and his family 14 days to leave the republic .
— Mayi (@MTshwete) January 15, 2016
Mos reportedly relocated to South Africa in 2014. Last year, the “Ms. Fat Booty” rhymer did an interview with Beats By Dre where he explained why he moved away from the United States.
“America’s really a very challenging place for me,” said Mos. “Sure there’s great business opportunities, but given the current social, political, economic climate it’s very difficult, unnecessarily difficult, to create to the degree of fullness, the type of robust creativity I like to have – it’s very difficult for me to produce that [in America].”
[ALSO READ: Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) Explains Why He Left America (VIDEO)]