It’s been a tumultuous road for Yasiin Bey, also known as Mos Def, and his immigration controversy in South Africa. Now, according to the Guardian, the Brooklynite will no longer be hinged by the country’s travel policies after apologizing for violating South Africa’s immigration laws.
Stemming back to the top of 2016, Bey was detained for attempting to travel outside of S.A. on a “world passport.” The document was backed by the United Nations’ freedom of movement policy, which has been in circulation since 1954, the Guardian states. Unfortunately for Bey, S.A.’s government doesn’t view that item as a credible form of travel.
A statement from the country’s Home Affairs sector reads, “[He] has unreservedly apologized to the government of South Africa. The department is satisfied with the apology [and] will withdraw the charges against him.” In addition, the “UMI Says” rapper is banned from re-entering the country.
In a previous message publicized by former collaborator Kanye West, Bey revealed that the government’s concern with his travel document was blown out of proportion.
“I’ve made no false claims. I have not misrepresented myself,” he said. “I’m under unnecessary state supervision and scrutiny, and I have reason to believe or suspect that there are political motivations behind the way I’m being treated, because this is following no reasonable train of logic.”