The editor of Playboy magazine South Africa has resigned because he believes it should not be sold in sex shops.

Peter Piegl quit on May 23 after being in charge for only three issues. He announced his resignation on Facebook and Twitter on Wednesday night.

"My vision is that it is a lifestyle magazine, not a skin magazine," Piegl said yesterday.

Piegl, 38, posted on Facebook that his editorial vision was being "compromised" by negotiations about having the magazine distributed in sex shops.

"My reasons for resigning have nothing to do with the Playboy brand or its sustainability in South Africa," he wrote.

The magazine's general manager, Karen von Wielligh, confirmed that the publishers had signed a three-month deal with the Adultworld sex shop chain, but said this would not detract from the magazine's "classiness".

"It won't change into something smutty," she said.

Playboy South Africa's publisher, Jeremy Lawrence, resigned on May5 for "personal reasons", Von Wielligh said. He would stay on for the July issue and would not immediately be replaced.

Playboy re-launched in South Africa after a 16-year absence. The first issue, with local model Tracy McGregor on the cover, went on sale at the end of March.

Piegl, who will be in charge of the July issue, will be replaced by Charl du Plessis as acting editor-in-chief, Playboy South Africa said.

Du Plessis is the previous owner and publisher of luxury lifestyle magazine Prestige.

Managing director Johann Botha said Piegl's resignation was a "sad moment".

"Nevertheless ... we are confident Playboy South Africa will continue to be in steady editorial hands."

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