Court case taking its toll on Mos Def says lawyer

02 February 2016 - 17:28 By Tammy Petersen
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Mos Def's application for his family to stay in the country while he faces charges of contravening the Immigration Act will be decided on in two weeks.

Legal teams met in chambers at the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, where the matter would be postponed, the artist's legal representative Shaheid Schrueder said.

An urgent application was filed for seven of the rapper's family members to stay in the country while he faces the charges.

Mos Def  born Dante Terrell Smith and now known as Yasiin Bey  was arrested last month after he attempted to leave Cape Town by producing an unrecognised "world passport".

This document was declined by immigration officials at Cape Town International Airport, said department of home affairs spokesperson Mayihlome Tshwete.

According to Bey, he had been able to enter and exit the country previously, using the document.

Schrueder said the matter was "simple, yet complicated," but declined to expand on the details of the case, saying they would be revealed when the matter was heard in open court on February 17.

The interim order allowing the family to stay in the country while the matter was being heard had been extended, he confirmed.

The time frame would be decided when the matter was heard later this month.

"This is very taxing on him," Shrueder said. "He likes his privacy, however he is coping.

"He loves our country very, very much. He has never once wanted to undermine, violate or impune the regulations of the South African government."

Bey's bail conditions have been relaxed and he was expected to stay in the country until the matter was completed, Schrueder said.

Source: News 24

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now