RIP | Tributes pour in for traffic officer Timothy Simpson

Tributes are pouring in for KwaZulu-Natal traffic officer Timothy Simpson as investigators work to establish what caused the fire that claimed his life.

Simpson died while on duty on Tuesday night, 22 September, after his state vehicle caught fire on the N2 near Park Rynie.

The provincial inspector, who served with the KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), was alone in the vehicle when the fire broke out at about 20:00. He could not escape before flames engulfed the vehicle.

Authorities have not yet publicly confirmed what caused the fire.

Tributes pour in for Timothy Simpson

Simpson’s death has prompted messages from colleagues who remembered his commitment to the job.

Fellow RTI officer Mbambo Ntandoyenkosi Bokza shared a tribute on Facebook following news of Simpson’s death.

Bokza reflected on the isiZulu saying “isosha lifela emsebenzini” – referring to a soldier dying in the line of duty – as he paid tribute to Simpson’s final shift.

He also extended condolences to Simpson’s colleagues at the Park Rynie station and ended his tribute with: “Rest in power officer.”

RTI spokesperson Sindi Msimang said Simpson had carried out his work with discipline and integrity.

She said his colleagues were devastated when they arrived at the scene and found the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Msimang described Simpson as an officer who aimed for excellence in every task and said his colleagues would learn from the example he set.

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

KZN transport department mourns traffic officer

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma also paid tribute to Simpson, describing him as a disciplined, hardworking and award-winning provincial inspector.

Duma said Simpson had served KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa with distinction.

The department sent officials to support Simpson’s family after his death, while senior management also planned to meet his colleagues at the Park Rynie RTI station.

What caused the N2 vehicle fire?

The question surrounding how the state vehicle caught fire remains unanswered.

The RTI has joined a specialised South African Police Service team to investigate Simpson’s death.

Investigators are examining forensic and mechanical evidence from the burnt-out vehicle to determine what triggered the blaze.

Msimang said the RTI would wait for police investigators to establish what happened.

No official finding has yet linked the fire to a mechanical fault, electrical problem or any other cause.