Mos Def Arrested In South Africa For Traveling With A Fake Passport

His passport Mos Definitely wasn’t valid.

Hip-hop artist Yasiin Bey, formerly known by his stage name Mos Def, was arrested Thursday at South Africa's Cape Town International Airport for traveling with “fraudulent” documents — and has just 14 days to hightail it out of the country, according to local media.

The rapper and activist, who had been living in South Africa since 2013, attempted to leave the country with what he called a “world passport,” a document the republic doesn’t recognize, Department of Home Affairs Spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete tweeted Friday.

Bey had entered the country with a valid U.S. passport but “overstayed” his visitor’s permit, the spokesman added.

“Mr Smith has been living in SA with his family without the necessary permits, he was detained upon departure for using illegal travel docs,” Tshwete wrote. “SAPS (South African Police Service) has charged him with usage of fraudulent travel documents.”

"The courts will give direction" on what jail time Bey could face if he doesn't leave, Tshwete told The News on Twitter.

The court order to leave South Africa bars the "Mathematics" rapper from the country for five years, Tshwete told the AP, but Bey could ask authorities for leniency.

The U.S. Department of State is "aware of reports that a U.S. citizen was detained in South Africa," a department official told the Daily News in an email.

"One of the most important functions of our Embassies abroad is to protect and assist private U.S. citizens or nationals traveling or residing abroad," the rep said. "In cases where U.S. citizens are detained overseas, the Department works to provide all appropriate consular assistance."

The official declined further comment due to privacy considerations.

Brooklyn-born Bey is expected to apply for bail Friday afternoon, reports the South African news site City Press.

The rapper, 42, starred in “The Italian Job,” “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Chappelle’s Show,” and the sixth season of Showtime’s “Dexter.”

“We are all fans guys ... but the law is the law,” Tshwete tweeted.

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