Casino predator: Widow (74) petitions for leave to appeal sentence for drugging and robbing woman (92)

A 74-year-old Westville woman, Hannah Naidoo, is seeking permission to appeal her 10-year prison sentence for drugging and robbing a 92-year-old grandmother of more than R330,000 worth of jewellery. Naidoo appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court earlier this week alongside seven other charges, including attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and theft. Her legal team argued that the prosecution’s case against her lacked sufficient strength and requested additional details to properly defend her. Naidoo, a mother of four, has been involved in criminal activity since at least 1981. According to court records, she has a long-standing pattern of targeting elderly individuals, often at the Suncoast Casino, where she built relationships before exploiting them. In September 2025, she was denied bail for these multiple cases. Her new legal representatives, Advocate Yuri Gengai and attorney Chris Gounden, contended that the state’s evidence was insufficient and urged authorities to provide more specific information about the allegations. State prosecutor Vaneshree Moodley responded that the defense's request for detailed case specifics would necessitate visiting the elderly victims to gather more information. This process, she explained, requires additional time and resources. As a result, the court granted a further remand to allow the prosecution to prepare a proper response to the defense’s inquiries. Gengai emphasized that repeated delays were harming his client’s ability to mount an effective defense. He stated that Naidoo is already appealing her sentence to the Judge President and questioned whether the state truly has a viable case against her. He requested that Magistrate Mayne Mewalall consider marking the matter as final given the ongoing legal challenges. Mewalall acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that the involvement of elderly victims slowed down proceedings. However, she agreed that granting the postponement would benefit both the accused and the prosecution. The court set the case for a hearing in September, allowing time for all parties to prepare their arguments thoroughly. In March 2024, Naidoo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for attempting to kill and robbing the 92-year-old grandmother. It was alleged that she laced the victim’s milkshake with sedatives, leaving her unconscious for four days. During this time, Naidoo stole approximately R181,000 worth of gold chains and a Kruger coin, R106,000 worth of ivory and gold bangles, and high-end branded watches valued at R50,000. None of these items have been recovered by law enforcement. Naidoo previously faced similar charges in different instances. In 1981, she was arrested for theft and received a 90-day sentence, later suspended for five years. In 1991, she was convicted of financial crimes and served six months, also suspended for five years. More recently, in August 2018, she allegedly robbed a 78-year-old woman of R1 million worth of jewelry, a Mercedes Benz, and clothing. In March 2022, she reportedly stole R350,000 worth of jewelry from another victim. In September 2024, she allegedly drugged and robbed a woman in Montclair, taking R60,000 worth of jewelry. In May 2025, she spiked a 66-year-old woman’s tea and stole R20,000 from her at Suncoast Casino. Naidoo’s current appeal focuses on challenging the validity of the evidence presented during her sentencing. Her legal team argues that the lack of recovered items and potential inconsistencies in witness accounts undermine the strength of the prosecution’s case. They are requesting that the Judge President reconsider the denial of her initial appeal and grant her the opportunity to present her case before a higher court. The case highlights the persistent issue of elderly abuse and exploitation, particularly within environments such as casinos where trust can be easily manipulated. Law enforcement continues to investigate the whereabouts of the stolen items, while the judicial system grapples with ensuring fair treatment for both the accused and the victims.