Durban’s ‘Casino Predator’: Elderly Woman Faces New Charges for Drugging and Robbing Victims

From friendly chats to ICU admissions the sinister case of Hannah Naidoo unfolds

In a chilling reminder that appearances can be deceiving, a 74-year-old woman from Westville, Durban, is facing a growing list of charges after being re-arrested for allegedly drugging and robbing elderly victims at the Suncoast Casino. What started as a case of one shocking robbery in 2024 has escalated into a full-blown criminal investigation stretching across the province.

Hannah Naidoo, now dubbed “the casino predator” by some on social media, was first arrested in October 2024 for allegedly befriending and then drugging a 92-year-old woman at her Durban flat. The victim — who had struck up a friendship with Naidoo at the casino, was allegedly sedated using a benzodiazepine-laced milkshake, then robbed of R337,000 worth of jewellery and watches.

The crime left the elderly woman unconscious in her flat for two days until her family discovered her and rushed her to hospital. She spent four days in ICU before regaining consciousness.

New Victim, Same Alleged Tactic

Now, Naidoo is back in custody after allegedly targeting another woman, aged 66, at Suncoast Casino on May 1, 2025. According to State prosecutor Calvin Govender, Naidoo once again used a spiked beverage, this time a coffee to sedate her victim.

The woman was admitted to hospital after suffering medical complications, and R20,000 in cash was allegedly stolen during the incident. Naidoo was arrested last Thursday and appeared in the Durban Regional Court the following day on fresh charges of attempted murder and theft.

Health Claims and Bail Controversy

During Friday’s court appearance, Naidoo’s attorney, Advocate Ashwin Baijnath, argued for an expedited bail hearing, stating that his client was undergoing chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer. But the State pushed back, noting that no proof of diagnosis, treatment schedule, or contact details for an oncologist had been submitted.

Despite assurances that Naidoo would be granted access to medical care while in custody, she remains at Westville Prison awaiting her formal bail application.

More Charges Incoming

The case may get even more serious. Govender revealed in court that two additional complainants, from Umhlali and Sydenham, have come forward, and further charges will be added to Naidoo’s record.

The alleged pattern has disturbed Durban locals, especially those in the senior community, who feel that casinos typically seen as safe entertainment spaces, may now be hunting grounds for the unscrupulous.

Public Outrage and Questions for Suncoast

While Suncoast Casino has not responded to media queries, the incidents have stirred public debate about security at gambling venues, especially for elderly patrons who are often seen as easy targets.

On Facebook, one Durban resident commented:

“Casinos need to do more to protect their older players. How does a woman get away with this more than once?”

Others have raised concerns about background checks and the casino’s failure to detect a potential predator operating on their premises.

A Chilling Warning to the Vulnerable

Naidoo’s case is a startling reminder that danger doesn’t always come in expected forms. In communities where elderly loneliness is common and social spaces like casinos offer companionship, predators can easily exploit trust.

With her trial still pending for the March 2024 robbery, and new charges piling up, Hannah Naidoo faces the possibility of spending her twilight years behind bars.

For now, the court and the public await what further investigations may uncover about Durban’s most unlikely accused thief.