Children read the red and white billboard alongside Witkoppen Road in Johannesburg and asked their parents about it, who in turn complained to Comedy Central Africa run by Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa).
VIMN Africa decided to take down the billboard.
"We know how important Santa is to kids and adults," says Evert van der Veer, the head of Comedy Central Africa in a statement to TV with Thinus.
"The message on our billboard was a joke that was not intended to spoil Christmas for anyone, and we apologise wholeheartedly".
