Police and other emergency services will today scale back search operations at Augustine Heights and surrounding areas for missing 74-year-old Kate Mandala.
Since Friday December 30, police have coordinated extensive search and rescue operations, utilising assets including police on foot, horseback, ATV, trail bikes, mountain bikes along with SES and drones.
Other search methods including residential doorknocks and loudspeakers messages in Kate's native Malawian language, have also been utilized in search efforts.
Police have been in constant contact with Kate's family throughout the past 14 days and have been consulted and offered support following the decision to scale back the search.
Ipswich residents and members of the public are still encouraged to thoroughly check their properties, to report any potential sightings to police, and are reminded not take their safety into account and not trespass on property.
Kate has a dark complexion, slim build and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, a long multicoloured wrap skirt and a black sun hat.
While Kate is fit for her age and has the capacity to walk large distances and could have travelled out of the Augustine Heights areas into the surrounding suburbs, she also has limited knowledge of the area, as she only recently arrived in Australia and has a medical condition which may cause her to be disoriented.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should immediately contact Triple Zero (000).
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
