Mos Def Banned from South Africa for Five Years over Fake Passport

Mos Def has been ordered to leave South Africa within 14 days after being arrested for breaking immigration laws.

The American rapper, now known as Yasiin Bey, was held at Cape Town International Airport on January 14 after trying to leave South Africa with unrecognized papers.

South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs said the 42-year-old singer produced what he called a “world passport”.

It said Mos Def had overstayed his tourist visa, obtained in 2013.

Born Dante Smith in New York, Yasiin Bey 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, South African media said.

“Further investigation into the matter revealed that Mr. Smith’s wife, mother and four children had overstayed and were sojourning in the country illegally,” a statement by the Department of Home Affairs said.

As well as being nominated for six Grammy Awards, Mos Def has appeared in a number of movies, including The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Be Kind Rewind and The Italian Job.

Sonia Pantiss

Sonia is the heart and the artist of the team. She loves art and all that it implies. As Sonia says, good music, a well directed movie, or attending a music or film festival melts people’s heart and make them better. She is great at painting and photography. Working on scrapbooks is her favorite activity.