Detained U.S. artist allowed to leave S. Africa

U.S. hip-hop artist Mos Def, who was detained in South Africa for violating immigration laws, is allowed to leave the country after making an apology, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) said Tuesday.

Mos Def, also known as Yasiin Bey, has unreservedly apologized to the South African government for his actions, DHA Director-General Mkuseli Apleni said.

In January, Bey was arrested at Cape Town International Airport for using an unrecognized "World Passport," which was declined by immigration officials.

Following this incident, the DHA leveled criminal charges against him.

Before that process was finalized, the department received a written apology from Bey for contravening the provisions of the South African Immigration Act and Passports and Travel Documents Act, according to Apleni.

The DHA is satisfied with the apology and has agreed in principle for him to depart from South Africa using a U.S. passport, Apleni said, adding that the DHA will withdraw the charges against him.

For his conduct, Mos Def will be declared an undesirable person, and will therefore not qualify for a port of entry visa or admission to the country, Apleni said.

The 42-year-old American embarked on his hip-hop career in 1994, and has been living in South Africa since 2013. Endit