Mos Def arrested in Cape Town on immigration charge

Cape Town – US hip hop artist and actor Yasiin Bey, better known by his former stage name, Mos Def, was arrested on an immigration-related charge in Cape Town, according to a department of home affairs official.

Home affairs spokesperson, Mayihlome Tshwete, confirmed on social networking site Twitter that the artist, born Dante Terrell Smith, was arrested.

Tshwete tweeted on Friday, "With regards 2 Mr Smith (Mos Def), SAPS has charged him with usage of fraudulent travel documents. The matter is currently before the courts."

In another tweet, Tshwete said the artist had been living in the country with his family without the necessary permits and was detained upon departure for using "illegal travel docs".

He said in a final tweet, "We are all fans guys... but the law is the law".

Western Cape police would only confirm that a 42-year-old man was arrested at Cape Town International Airport on Thursday morning.

He was scheduled to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on Friday, said Constable Noloyiso Rwexana.

He has been living in Cape Town for a few years.

In 2014, Mos Def told the Mail & Guardian newspaper: “Last year May, I came [to Cape Town] and I said I'm not leaving. I'm staying. It's a beautiful place. It has the ocean, mountain, botanical gardens and beautiful people.”