Mos Def case postponed as State wraps up investigation

He was flanked by family and friends as he walked along the corridor to where Home Affairs officials waited near the court room.

He was arrested at Cape Town International Airport for not being in possession of a valid passport.

The artist‚ who goes by the name of Yasiin Bey‚ is fighting to remain in the country with his family.

After a brief appearance the state asked that the matter be postponed to finalise its investigation.

His next court appearance is March 24.

Last month‚ his wife and four children were granted an interim order to stay in the country pending their application to stay in South Africa while the legal system dealt with his case. The family’s visas had expired in April 2014.

Mos Def’s lawyer‚ Shaheid Schrueder‚ had asked the court “to allow them as a family to stay together and leave together if and when the matter is disposed of”

“There are seven members of the family and minor children. They need to leave together with mother‚ father and grandmother to whichever destination they choose.”

Despite the legal turmoil‚ Schrueder said then that Mos Def was having a good time.

“He is on holiday‚ he is doing nothing and is enjoying his time with his family‚ and that is exactly why he is here in South Africa‚” Schrueder said. “His bail conditions have been relaxed and he is just to remain in the country at this stage. He does not have to sign at the police station