Court orders health tests for Westville widow (74) accused of drugging and robbing elderly victims

A 74-YEAR-OLD Westville widow, accused of drugging and robbing elderly casino patrons, has been ordered to undergo tests to determine her current health condition. This ws amid claims of having Stage 4 colon cancer during her bail application.

Naidoo, who faces seven charges, including attempted murder, robbery with aggravated circumstances and theft, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court today for the continuation of her bail application.

The alleged serial criminal, who committed her first crime of theft in 1981, had told the court by way of an affidavit that she needed to be granted bail due to her urgent need for chemotherapy.

But Doctor Rukaya Hoosen, from the Department of Correctional Services, testified today and said she received confirmation from test results that Naidoo was cancer-free.

Hoosen told the court that she requested Naidoo’s medical record from her family.

She said she initially gave an assessment of Naidoo’s health status using medical records from a doctor who examined Naidoo in 2020. But the updated reports provided to her indicated that scans done in 2021 confirmed that Naidoo did not have cancer and she did not require chemotherapy.

Hoosen, who has over 25 years of experience in the medical field, said: “Naidoo was never tested by our facility for cancer. She was offered follow-up treatment at King Edward VIII Hospital but she refused the treatment. She said she had medical aid and would not use a public hospital.

“My first concern was that she required chemotherapy, and the second was that she needed treatment for a hernia. But if she does not have cancer and does not require chemotherapy, we would be able to accommodate her at the Westville Prison Hospital. We will be able to manage her adequately at the prison hospital.”

Naidoo was ordered by the court to undergo tests to conclude if she was cancer free.

Her bail application continues.

Crime spree

Naidoo was first arrested for a case of theft after she robbed a complainant for money in 1981.

At the time, she was sentenced to 90 days imprisonment, suspended for five years.

She was also convicted of offences relating to monetary debts in 1991 and was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for five years.

This year, Naidoo was charged for attempted murder and theft after she allegedly laced a 66-year-old woman’s tea and robbed her of R20 000 at Suncoast Casino in May, and for allegedly assaulting, drugging, and robbing a 92-year-old grandmother of R337 000 worth of jewellery and watches from her flat in Durban, in March 2024.

It is alleged she had befriended the elderly woman at the casino, gained her trust, and visited her with a milkshake and cake. The milkshake was allegedly laced with a sedative.

A third victim came forward after Naidoo’s photograph was circulated in the media this year. She was then charged with attempted murder and theft. 

A 67-year-old Montclair woman claimed Naidoo had drugged her by lacing her sandwich and tea with sedatives and stole R60 000 worth of jewellery, including a thali chain, in September 2024.

Last month, a seventh charge involving R1 million in jewellery and a luxury car theft was added to her string of charges.

It was alleged that she had robbed Pathmavathi Moodley, 78, of Sydenham, of R1 million worth of jewellery, her Mercedes Benz, and clothing, on August 3, 2018.

THE POST