Published on: November 6, 2025, 07:36h.
Updated on: November 6, 2025, 07:36h.
- 74-year-old woman sentenced for drugging and robbing elderly casino-goers.
- Victim’s stolen jewelry valued at $19,000 remains missing.
- Prosecutors label Naidoo a threat motivated by greed.
A 74-year-old widow accused of sedating and robbing several elderly casino visitors in South Africa has received a 10-year prison sentence, as reported by The Post.
Hannah Naidoo was found guilty of aggravated robbery in March 2025 after she drugged a 92-year-old grandmother’s milkshake at Suncoast Casino in Durban. The jewelry and watches she stole were valued at $19,000, with none recovered to date.
According to court documents, the grandmother was discovered unconscious in her home two days after the incident, only to wake up four days later in intensive care, ultimately making a full recovery.
The Durban Magistrate’s Court acquitted Naidoo of attempted murder during the proceedings last Friday.
Multiple Allegations
This incident is just one of seven pending cases linked to the mother of four, who has a criminal history dating back to 1981, as per prosecutors. Authorities suspect there may be additional victims yet to step forward.
In May of this year, while out on bail for the earlier case, she reportedly drugged a 66-year-old woman’s tea, stealing approximately $1,100 at Suncoast.
This victim experienced health complications from the alleged drugging and was hospitalized but is expected to recover.
News coverage of Naidoo’s alleged offenses led other victims to share their stories, including a 67-year-old woman who reported that Naidoo had tainted her sandwich and tea with sedatives, stealing jewelry valued at around $3,500 in September 2024.
‘Desire for Wealth’
During the trial, Naidoo, who falsely claimed to have stage 4 cancer, characterized herself as a harmless elderly woman with “no threat to anyone.” However, prosecutors dismissed her self-portrayal, describing her as having “a dangerous desire for wealth” and a “callous disregard for human life.”
Magistrate Ashwin Singh ruled that Naidoo could not justify her behavior based on age, as she was healthy enough to go to casinos late at night.
The sentence was welcomed by the family of the 92-year-old victim, who expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“We are thrilled that justice has been served and that Naidoo will be incarcerated for the next ten years. Although the stolen jewelry hasn’t been recovered, we are relieved that my mother has made a full recovery,” the victim’s son told The Post.