RIP | WATCH: Traffic officer dies after state vehicle catches fire

Traffic officer Timothy Simpson died inside the state-owned vehicle after it caught fire on the N2 near Park Rynie on Tuesday night, 22 September.

Simpson served as a provincial inspector with the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and was based at Park Rynie.

The vehicle became engulfed in flames at about 20:00 while Simpson was on duty.

Investigation launched into deadly vehicle fire

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed Simpson’s death on Wednesday.

Duma said the department had assigned an RTI team to work with a specialised South African Police Service (SAPS) team to establish what happened.

Investigators are examining forensic and mechanical evidence from the vehicle to determine what sparked the fire.

Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗼, 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗧𝗜 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗥𝘆𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻

Duma has expressed his deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the most disciplined, hardworking, decorated, and award… pic.twitter.com/iEuyh61Iny

— NANCY PALIEN (@Traffic247KZN) September 23, 2026

RTI spokesperson Sindi Msimang said Simpson was alone in the vehicle when the fire broke out.

She said he could not get out before the flames engulfed the vehicle.

“We hope to get answers soon on how this happened,” Msimang said, adding that the RTI would await the outcome of the SAPS investigation.

Traffic officer remembered for his service

Duma described Simpson as a disciplined and hardworking officer who served KwaZulu-Natal and the country with distinction.

He said Simpson was also an award-winning traffic officer.

The department sent officials to Simpson’s family after the incident and senior management was expected to meet his colleagues at the Park Rynie RTI station on Wednesday.

Duma also extended condolences to Simpson’s wife, family, friends and colleagues.

Police and transport officials are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire.