A KwaZulu-Natal Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer has died after the state-owned vehicle he was travelling in caught fire while he was on duty on the N2 near Park Rynie on Tuesday night.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements confirmed the incident.
MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames at about 8pm on Tuesday.
“We have assigned a team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate to work with a highly specialised team from the South African Police Service as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of our hero, a hard-working and patriotic RTI officer from Park Rynie, Timothy Simpson,” Duma said.
Simpson died while on duty after the vehicle he was travelling in caught fire.
The circumstances that led to the blaze remain under investigation.
Duma said a specialised team was working to examine forensic and mechanical evidence to determine what caused the fire.
“We dispatched a team to meet with the family late last night as a sign of respect to the departed colleague, who was respected for his discipline and dedication,” Duma said.
He said KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements head Zibusiso Dlamini and senior management would meet with the RTI Park Rynie team on Wednesday and visit Simpson’s family.
“I want to meet with the wife and the whole family during this difficult period,” Duma said.
“As we move forward, we will work with the family to reflect on the life of our departed law enforcement officer, who served this province and the country with distinction.”
Duma expressed his deepest condolences to Simpson’s family, friends and colleagues, describing him as one of the province’s most disciplined and hard-working RTI inspectors and an award-winning officer.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire is continuing.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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