CAPE Town: US hip hop artist and actor Mos Def’s family can stay in the country, for now at least.
The family’s urgent application to remain in South Africa while he faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act was postponed until Friday, February 26.
Shahied Schreuder, the celebrity’s lawyer, said outside the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday that the civil matter was not ready to proceed and the court roll was full.
The court extended an interim order, stating that they could not be deported pending his ongoing criminal case.
He is set to return to the Bellville Magistrate’s Court on March 8.
World passport
Mos Def, born Dante Terrell Smith, and now known as Yasiin Bey, was arrested last month after he attempted to leave Cape Town with an unrecognised “world passport”.
Immigration officials at Cape Town International Airport declined to accept the document, said home affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete.
According to Bey, he had been able to enter and exit the country previously, using the document.
Schreuder said it was important to promote the country to the arts and culture, film, and performing sectors.
“Many more international celebrities are looking at South Africa as a destination of choice for retirement and business, etcetera, and we need to encourage that,” he said.
It was hoped the matter could be resolved amicably, he added.Advertisement