Home Affairs on arrest of Mos Def

15 Jan 2016

The Department of Home Affairs wishes to confirm the arrest of Mr Dante Terrell Smith – also known as Mos Def and/or Yasiin Bey- for contravening the immigration laws of the Republic.

Mr Smith was arrested on Thursday, 14 January 2016 and appeared at the Bellville Magistrate Court on Friday,15 January 2016. He entered the country using an USA passport on a tourist visa. On 9 January 2016, Mr Smith attempted to depart the country from the Cape Town International Airport by producing an unrecognised ‘World Passport” which was declined by immigration officials.

Further investigation into the matter revealed that Mr Smith’s wife, mother and four children had overstayed and were sojourning in the country illegally. In this regard, an order has been issued to Mr Smith’s wife, mother and four children to depart the country within 14 days. This order will be monitored by immigration officials. 

Minister Malusi Gigaba has reiterated that immigration officials, in the course of exercising their duties, ought to apply the law without fear of favour.

The outcomes of the court process will be communicated at a later stage.

Statement issued by Mayihlome Tshwete, Department of Home Affairs, 15 January 2016