The South African detective leading the Oscar Pistorius inquiry is himself facing seven charges of attempted murder, police have confirmed.
Detective Hilton Botha, who has faced fierce questioning at Mr Pistorius’s bail hearing, was allegedly involved in a drunken shooting some years ago.
Mr Pistorius, a Paralympic champion, denies the premeditated murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29.
His bail hearing in Pretoria is scheduled to resume at 09:00 GMT.
Police spokesman Neville Malila said that Det Botha and two other officers were due to appear in court in May.
It is alleged the three were drunk while driving a state-owned vehicle and they opened fire on a minibus taxi loaded with passengers.
It is not clear when the alleged incident happened, although some media reports say 2009.
The three were arrested in 2011, Eyewitness News channel says, citing police.
The charges were initially dropped but have since been reinstated.
“We were only informed yesterday that attempted murders charges against Hilton Botha have been reinstated,” Mr Malila said.
It is not clear whether Det Botha will continue working on the case.
The BBC’s Peter Biles in Pretoria says the police statement concerning Det Botha is an extraordinary turn of events.
Mr Pistorius says he shot Ms Steenkamp in the bathroom of his home after mistaking her for an intruder.
If denied bail, Mr Pistorius could face months in prison before a full trial begins.
On Wednesday, lawyers for Mr Pistorius challenged the testimony of Det Botha at the court in Pretoria.
The veteran detective said a witness heard fighting at Mr Pistorius’s home on the night Ms Steenkamp was shot.
But he changed details of his testimony under questioning, which Mr Pistorius’s family said was “extremely concerning”.
Correspondents say Det Botha’s evidence appeared first to boost the prosecution’s case and then offer the defence a hope of winning the argument.
The magistrate appeared to question Det Botha’s assertion that Mr Pistorius could be a flight risk who should be denied bail.
After a day of detailed questioning of Mr Botha, the Pistorius family issued a statement saying they were “satisfied with the outcome” of Wednesday’s proceedings.
courtesy:bbcnews
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