As South African paralympian Oscar Pistorius returned to court for a third day of his bail hearing on murder charges--- a bombshell new development in his case:<br/> <br />Lead detective, Hilton Botha, was removed from the case Thursday after the revelation that he himself is facing seven counts of attempted murder.<br/> <br />South African police commissioner Riah Phiyega says Botha will be replaced by a team of detectives, as the department positions itself for a long investigation.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSIONER, RIAH PHIYEGA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We are putting our best foot forward, putting our team of experienced detectives, under the leadership of our topmost detective, to investigate this matter going forward."<br/> <br />Detective Botha allegedly fired on a minibus full of passengers two years ago while pursuing another murder suspect. He had taken the stand earlier this week and seemed to bungle his testimony against Pistorius.<br/> <br />The double-amputee athlete is accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria.<br/> <br />With so much attention focused on the track star's case, reporters pressed police to explain why Botha had been assigned to investigate in the first place.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) NATIONAL POLICE COMMISSIONER, RIAH PHIYEGA, SAYING:<br/> <br />"The person who investigated this matter is highly experienced, 22 years of experience. it does not take away that experience from him."<br/> <br />A decision on Pistorius' bail application is expected Friday.
