Yasiin Bey, the American rapper formerly known by the name Mos Def, will face trial in a South African court for violating the country's immigration laws. Bey was arrested last week at the Cape Town International Airport while attempting to leave the country with an invalid travel document, which he described as a "world passport," as HNGN previously reported.
Bey, who is currently out on bail, was charged with "using an unrecognized travel document and helping his family stay in the country illegally," said Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni, according to The Associated Press. The rapper is scheduled to appear in court on March 8 whereas his family members, who have been living in South Africa illegally, have been ordered to leave the country by Jan. 29.
The World Passport is a document issued by World Service Authority, a non-profit organization and is accepted as a valid travel document in several countries. Unfortunately for Bey, South Africa isn't one of them, which makes it illegal for anyone who tries to use the same as a passport, according to Reuters.
The rapper, who has been living in South Africa since 2013 on a visitor's permit, took to Kanye West's website to state, in a voice recording, that his arrest was "unjust" and politically motivated.
Bey also said that he was hanging up his boots and retiring from the music and film industry immediately after his final album drops later this year, according to The Guardian.
Listen to Bey's audio recording below:
