Elderly Widow Accused of Drugging Casino Patrons Faces Fresh Charges
Posted on: September 1, 2025, 11:52h.
Last updated on: September 1, 2025, 11:52h.
- Widow accused of drugging elderly casino patrons for theft
- Fresh charges include jewelry, car theft, and attempted murder
- Court hears plea for bail citing stage four cancer
A 74-year-old widow accused of drugging and robbing elderly casino patrons in South Africa is facing fresh charges related to the theft of jewelry and a luxury car.
Hannah Naidoo, who claims to have stage 4 cancer, is facing attempted murder and aggravated burglary charges after allegedly drugging three victims, at least two of whom she met and befriended at the Suncoast Casino in Durban.
Benzo Milkshake
In May this year, she is alleged to have laced a 66-year-old woman’s tea and robbed her of the equivalent of around US$1.1K at Suncoast.
Two months earlier, she allegedly stole around US$19K worth of jewelry and watches from a 92-year-old grandmother after spiking her milkshake with benzodiazepines during a visit to the woman’s home in Durban’s Central Business District.
Media reports of the alleged crimes prompted another victim to come forward — a 67-year-old woman who claimed Naidoo had drugged her sandwich and tea with sedatives, before stealing $3.5K worth of jewelry in September 2024.
The new charges stem from the August 3, 2018 robbery of 78-year-old Pathmavathi Moodley, during which her Mercedes-Benz, clothing, and more than a thousand dollars’ worth of jewelry were stolen.
In all, Naidoo, a mother of four, is now facing seven charges ranging from aggravated burglary to attempted murder in relation to the 92-year-old victim, who was found unconscious in her apartment two days after the attack by her son and grandson. She awoke four days later in intensive care but recovered.
‘Lust for Money’
During a recent bail hearing, Naidoo, argued that she was not a danger to society and would not reoffend if released.
“There is no evidence that I pose a danger to the public,” she wrote in a letter read by her lawyer. “My husband passed away in 2016 and I have since resided alone. I have no dependents, and my income is my pension and money I inherited from my late husband’s estate.
I was diagnosed with fourth stage colon cancer in 2020 and was to undergo chemotherapy at Parklands Hospital. But I contracted the Covid-19 virus twice and due to the effects and complications, I could not undergo chemotherapy. However, I would have to undergo such treatment or else I would not survive much longer,” she said, as reported by The Post.
Despite her claims of harmless frailty, police described her as having “a dangerous lust for money,” and a “blatant disregard for human life.”
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