Now Playing 
Mark Horton/WireImageYasiin Bey, previously known as Mos Def, was arrested in South Africa for allegedly attempting to travel with a false passport.
According to South African news service IOL, he was arrested at the Cape Town airport because his visa had expired and he attempted to leave the country on what was reportedly described as a “world passport.” According to a tweet from South African Department of Home affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete, the rapper was “with usage of fraudulent travel documents.”
The spokesman told IOL that the rapper entered the country on a tourist visa using a U.S. passport but attempted to leave the country from the Cape Town International Airport using what he claimed was a “world passport,” which was declined by immigration officials. He add, that the rapper, his wife, mother and four children had overstayed their visas. It was reported that Bey’s visa expired in 2014.
In a tweet the spokesman said the rapper and his family have been given 14 days to leave the country. “We are all fans guys…but the law is the law,” he added.
The rapper/actor, who is originally from New York City, has been living in South Africa with his family for two years. In May 2014, Bey was scheduled to perform in the United States, but his tour was canceled because immigration issues prevented him from returning to America.
Bey may be fined, and the South African government will determine how long he will be barred from the country.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
