About two weeks ago a family was left devastated when they discovered Joash ‘Joey’ Muthumari had not returned from home on the evening of August 25.

He was last seen leaving his home to purchase a packet of cigarettes in a white Colt van with registration plate NE 15669. The 23-year-old’s family grew concerned and reported him missing to the Estcourt police and sent out Facebook posts urging the community to assist if they saw him.

The white Colt van was recovered near the Blurock Quarry in Estcourt on Saturday, August 29. Joash’s attorney, confirmed that Joash handed himself over to the Ladysmith police on Sunday, August 30.

On Tuesday, September 1 Joash appeared before the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court on charges of theft of a vehicle. He was granted bail and the case was remanded for Thursday, September 24.