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Johannesburg - The Santa Claus at an East London mall was sacked after he allegedly smacked his former father-in-law, the Daily Dispatch online reported on Friday.
Shoppers and children who had been waiting in queues to have their picture taken with him at the Hemingways Mall watched the alleged assault on Wednesday.
Eugene Henning told the Dispatch he was listening to the Salvation Army band's Christmas carols while doing his Christmas shopping.
"I was just standing looking around when Santa approached and asked me to leave because my presence was interrupting him," Henning was quoted as saying.
It was only then that he realised that Santa was his former son-in-law.
"I told him that I am a visiting member of the public with every right to be there."
Santa Claus Gary Rusch then allegedly hit him. He has since laid assault charges against Rusch. Hemingways Mall marketing manager Este Roos said Rusch was fired.
Eyewitness Hubert Mhambi said his children began crying and they did not get the picture they wanted.
"No matter how upset he was, he should have stuck to [being Santa] and kept his cool, not embarrassed himself and upset children who came especially to see him," Mhambi said.
