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Mos Def arrested in Cape Town on immigration charge

Source: News24, 15/01/2016


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


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