British ‘suspected drug dealer’, 46, is shot dead outside South African primary school

A suspected British drug dealer has been shot dead in front of terrified children outside a primary school in South Africa. 

Simon Mather, 46, was shot twice in the head as he was dropping off his 12-year-old stepson Quaid during a school run at Hout Bay, outside of Cape Town on February 10. 

The drive-by killing at Sentinel Primary School is believed to have been a professional hit. 

Simon Mather, 46, was fatally shot as he was dropping off his stepson Quaid, 12, during a school run at Hout Bay, outside of Cape Town on February 10

The incident at Sentinel Primary School on Atlantic Skipper Road in Hangberg (pictured) is believed to be a professional hit

The father-of-three, who grew up in the village of Combs in the Peak District, was suspected of being involved in the city’s cocaine trade and had angered gang rivals, according to a report in The Sun. 

The father-of-three was suspected of being involved in the city’s cocaine trade and had angered gang rivals

According to the publication, Mr Mather had tried to muscle in on a lucrative market smuggling abalone marine snails, a £420-a-plate delicacy.  

A source told the publication: ‘He crossed the wrong group and they took him out. 

‘Life is cheap in South Africa, especially if you fall out with the wrong people.’ 

His son Bruno, 18, said that his father had had money problems. ‘He had got into a lot of debt. I’m sure his murder has something to do with his money problems.’

Mr Mather is from the village of Combs in the Peak District and used to work there for a kitchen worktops supplier.

He moved to Cape Town eight years ago which is when he is thought to have become involved with drugs. 

He married South African Sianlee Barendse, with whom he shared two young children. 

Mather was reportedly an associate of British businessman John Burns, 50, who was seriously injured by a car bomb in 2019.