RTI officer dies after state vehicle catches fire on N2 near Park Rynie

A KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer has died after the state vehicle he was travelling in caught fire on the N2 at Park Rynie on Tuesday night.

Timothy Simpson was reportedly alone in the vehicle and on duty when the vehicle became engulfed in flames at around 8pm.

The circumstances surrounding the fire and Simpson’s death are now being investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS), together with a specialised RTI team.

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma said investigators were examining forensic and mechanical evidence to establish what caused the vehicle to catch fire.

At this stage, authorities have not confirmed what triggered the fire or why Simpson was unable to escape from the vehicle.

RTI colleagues devastated

The death has sent shockwaves through the RTI, with colleagues describing Simpson as a dedicated officer who took his road safety responsibilities seriously.

KZN RTI spokesperson Sindi Msimang said the organisation was struggling to come to terms with the loss.

“We need prayers right now, we are devastated about the passing of one of the best RTI officers,” Msimang said.

She said Simpson was committed to keeping South Africa’s roads safe and carried out his duties with discipline and integrity.

“He made sure to execute each task with excellence,” she said.

Msimang confirmed that Simpson was on shift and alone in the vehicle when the fire occurred.

“He could not get out of his vehicle,” she said.

The RTI is now awaiting the outcome of the investigation.

Questions surrounding the vehicle

For motorists and professional drivers who spend long hours on the N2, the incident also raises difficult questions about vehicle safety and what happened inside the state vehicle before it became fully engulfed.

However, those questions will have to be answered by investigators.

There is currently no official finding that the fire was caused by a mechanical failure, electrical fault or any other specific problem.

Duma said the department had dispatched officials to meet with Simpson’s family and that senior management would engage with the RTI team in Park Rynie.

Tributes have also been paid by fellow RTI officers, who described Simpson as a colleague who died while carrying out his duties.

The investigation into the fatal vehicle fire is continuing.