Johannesburg - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has condemned the arrest of American musician Yasiin Bey (known as Mos Def) by the Department of Home Affairs.
The musician was detained by immigration police on January 9 at Cape Town International Airport. The Home Affairs department said the American was arrested for violating the South African Immigration Act.
Bey was arrested after he allegedly presented a “World Government of World Citizens” passport to authorities at the airport. He claimed the passport allowed him into any country.
The musician reportedly had a visa, which allowed him to visit South Africa between November 30 until February 28.
Bey was released on bail of R5 000.
The EFF in a statement on Thursday said: “The EFF condemns Home Affairs reactionary policies, conduct and actions that seek to criminalise and alienate Africans in the diaspora”.
EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said South Africans should not “criminalise” and detain Africans who visit the country.
“Africans in the diaspora, particularly from the US and most parts of Europe are harassed, assaulted, arrested, discriminated, treated as sub-humans and even killed because of the colour of their skin. It therefore cannot be correct that when these Africans come back to their origins and roots, they are subjected to the same treatment by a black government,” said Ndlozi.
The EFF called for a review of laws and policies that give the state the right to arrest, harass and banish Africans based on its immigration regulations.
“As a matter of principle, the South African government and all governments in Africa should waive the VISA requirements for all Africans in the diaspora who want to come home,” declared Ndlozi.
The EFF plans to write to the Home Affairs Ministry headed by Malusi Gigaba, to withdraw charges against Bey.
“Banishment, arrests, and deportations of Africans from the diaspora cannot be done in the name of South Africans because many other Africans wishing to visit the country will be discouraged,” said the EFF.
ANA