A US citizen has found out the hard way that a "world passport" isn't accepted in South Africa.

Mos Def, a rapper and actor, must appear in court for allegedly breaking South Africa's immigration laws, an official said on Wednesday.

Mos Def was charged with using a false identity, using an unrecognized travel document and helping his family stay in the country illegally, Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni told a news conference.