Police scale back search for missing mother Kate Mandala, Augustine Heights
Police have announced they will be scaling back the search for missing 74-year-old Kate Mandala, after two weeks of extensive searching, but have asked locals to do one thing.
Ipswich
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After two weeks of extensive search and rescue operations, police will ease off their efforts to locate missing 74-year-old Kate Mandala.
Ms Mandala was visiting family in Augustine Heights for Christmas before her disappearance on December 30.
Over the past two weeks, police have used a range of search strategies including police on foot, horseback, ATV, trail bikes, mountain bikes along with SES and drones.
Police have also doorknocked in the Spring Mountain area, where Ms Mandala’s last confirmed location was, and have played messages over loudspeakers in her native Malawian language.
A Queensland Police spokesman said they had been in “constant contact” with Ms Mandala’s family since her disappearance and have “been consulted and offered support following the decision to scale back the search”.
They encouraged members of the community to continue to thoroughly check their properties, report any potential sightings to police, and always take their safety into account and not trespass on property.
Ms Mandala speaks limited English, and has a medical condition that may cause her to be disoriented.
She is in fit condition and has the capacity to walk long distances, having travelled a confirmed 9km on the first day she was missing.
Anyone with information is encouraged to immediately contact triple-0.
Previously, new leads surfaced in the search for missing elderly woman Kate Mandala, as concern for her wellbeing grew in the sweltering sixth day of searching.
The 74-years-old Augustine Heights woman was visiting her family for Christmas before her disappearance last Friday.
Over the past six days, the police, SES and Ipswich community have made every effort to search the Spring Mountain area and surrounds where she was last seen.
Ms Mandala suffers from a medical condition that can lead to disorientation and speaks limited English.
She travelled about 9km on the first day she was missing, but police have not confirmed any locations or sightings since then.
On day six of the search, Acting Inspector Darren Green said police were extremely concerned for Kate’s welfare, as temperatures had spiked.
“Our hope is we will find Ms Mandala well,” he said.
“There are a number of locations where she can get water, but as time goes on, we grow more concerned for her wellbeing.”
Inspector Green said they had received information yesterday morning regarding a possible sighting at the Cunningham Highway, which they were still investigating.
Family friend Milly Chitabwa said the search party’s morale was starting to wane in the heat, but their hopes remained high.
“People are wearing down, getting tired, but are still very hopeful,” she said.
Although many volunteers have gone back to work, Ms Chitawba said they were still seeing locals come out and join the search before and after work, which she was very grateful for.
“Thank you for the kind words, kind thoughts … all the prayers and continuous hope and the positive energy that is coming through the community,” she said.
Ms Chitabwa said their current plan was to “keep up the search as long as we can hopefully”.
“Whilst we are very hopeful, we are also realistic,” she said.
“The weather is not going in our favour at the moment.
“We’re just hoping that she’s in someone’s backyard and someone will come back and say ‘I’ve got her here!’
“That’s what we are hoping for — that she’s found shelter somewhere.”
Ms Chitabwa said Ms Mandala’s family was concerned but still assisting with the search.
Kate’s daughter Gina joined the search party at Peter Tullett Memorial Park, where members of the community were welcomed to join her in prayer at 3.30pm and 5.30pm today.
“Not knowing exactly where she is — it is a bit hard [on the family]” said Ms Chitabwa.
“It’s getting harder and harder.
“Hopefully today is the day.”
Inspector Green said the primary focus of the search remained in the Spring Mountain area, as that was the last confirmed location.
“We are trying everything we can,” he said.
“Numbers are slightly reduced as people have gone back to work … but we’ve still got over 30 SES volunteers today, we’ve had our Queensland Police Mounted Squad — we’ve had tracking specialists as well.
“We will continue to try everything we can to try and locate her.”
Inspector Green said police were still asking locals to check their CCTV and dashcam footage, along with their homes and any locations which could conceal a person.
“I’d like to thank the volunteers and community members for persisting with the search,” said Inspector Green.
“We will follow every lead that we receive.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police on 131444.