A 74-year-old woman has been re-arrested for allegedly drugging and robbing another vulnerable, elderly woman at Suncoast Casino. 

It has been alleged that the suspect preyed on the victims in the casino by striking up a conversation and befriending them.

Hannah Naidoo, of Westville, was first arrested in October 2024 after she allegedly assaulted, drugged, and robbed a 92-year-old grandmother of R337 000 worth of jewellery and watches from her flat, in March of the same year.

According to the charge sheet Naidoo befriended the woman about a month before the crime at the casino, and their friendship grew. The woman lived alone.

On March 22, 2024, Naidoo and an accomplice - who is unknown to the State - had visited the woman in the late afternoon at her flat in the Durban Central Business District.

It has been alleged that they took cake and a milkshake for the woman.

The milkshake was allegedly spiked with a sedative known as benzodiazepines. Naidoo allegedly encouraged the woman to consume the milkshake, which rendered her unconscious. The woman was then allegedly assaulted and robbed.

Her son and grandson found her unconscious on her bed, two days after the robbery.

She was taken to hospital and regained consciousness four days later in ICU. 

None of the stolen items were recovered.

Following police investigations, Naidoo was arrested and charged with robbery with aggravated circumstances and attempted murder.

At the time, Naidoo was granted bail of R5 000. She is expected to stand trial later this year.

*This article was first published by IOL News