A Westville widow is petitioning to appealing her 10-year sentence after being found guilty of drugging a 92-year-old grandmother’s milkshake and stealing R330 000 worth of jewellery.
Hannah Naidoo, 74, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, for seven other cases against her, including that of attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances and theft.
Naidoo has a criminal history dating back to 1981.It was alleged that Naidoo preyed on unsuspecting elderly people at Suncoast Casino, and befriended them before drugging and robbing them.
Naidoo, a mother of four, was denied bail for the seven cases in September 2025.
Her new legal representatives, Advocate Yuri Gengai instructed by attorney Chris Gounden, claimed on Tuesday that the State’s cases against Naidoo were weak, and called for further information and particulars of the case.
State prosecutor Vaneshree Moodley said the defence made a comprehensive request for particulars regarding the case, which would require her to visit the victims, who are elderly, to obtain further information.
She said the State required a further remand in order to respond to the request for further information adequately.
Gengai said Naidoo was being prejudiced due to the postponements, and he told the court that they were appealing Naidoo’s 10-year sentence.
She was sentenced in November 2025.
“My client is currently serving a sentence in another matter, in which she is petitioning the Judge President.
“The issue of bail pending the appeal becomes difficult, and is prejudicial to her.
“The State needs to make up its mind. Does it have a case? If not, say so.”
Gengai asked Magistrate Mayne Mewalall to mark the matter as final.
Mewalall said she had noted the reasons for the request for a postponement.
She said due to the complainants being elderly people, the matter could not move with the “same speed”.
“The postponement for the requested information will be beneficial and in the interest of both the accused and the State.
“The application for the adjournment was well-motivated by the State and will be granted. The matter will be marked as final,” Mewalall added.
The case was postponed to September.
Sentencing
Naidoo was sentenced for attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances after she allegedly laced the grandmother’s milkshake with sedatives and robbed her of over R330 000 worth of jewellery in March 2024.
She had befriended her at Suncoast Casino.
The victim was left unconscious for four days in her flat.
The woman was robbed of about R181 000 worth of gold chains and a Kruger coin, R106 000 worth of ivory and gold bangles, and high-end branded watches to the value of R50 000.
None of the stolen items were recovered by police.
Naidoo was refused leave to appeal her sentence, and is now petitioning the Judge President for leave to appeal.
Life of crime
- 1981: Naidoo was first arrested for theft after she robbed a complainant of money. At the time, she was sentenced to 90 days imprisonment, suspended for five years.
- 1991: She was convicted of offences relating to monetary debts and was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for five years.
- August 2018: She allegedly robbed a 78-year-old woman, of Sydenham, of R1 million worth of jewellery, her Mercedes Benz, and clothing.
- March 2022: She allegedly robbed a woman from Sheffield Estates, ofR350 000 worth of jewellery.
- March 2024: She allegedly drugged and robbed a 92-year-old grandmother at her flat in central Durban. The victim was robbed of R337 000 worth of jewellery.
- September 2024: She allegedly drugged and robbed a Montclair woman. She allegedly put sedatives in her tea and sandwich. R60 000 worth of jewellery was allegedly stolen.
- May 2025: She allegedly spiked a 66-year-old woman’s tea and robbed her of R20 000 at Suncoast Casino.
