Pistorius Investigator Replaced
Faces attempted murder charges
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A day after contradicting himself and screwing up a number of details in the prosecution’s case against Oscar Pistorius while under cross-examination, lead investigator Hilton Botha has been replaced. Why? It was revealed that Botha, himself, is facing seven counts of attempted murder.
Botha and three other officers are expected to stand trial in May for allegedly—while intoxicated—opening fire on a minibus full of people. (USA Today explains that Botha claims he only “fired at a minibus during an arrest attempt.”) The charges were originally dropped in March of last year, but they were then reinstated earlier this month. Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel said he first learned of the charges yesterday.
Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo, whom national police commissioner Riah Phiyega calls the South Africa police’s “top detective,” has been chosen to replace Botha.
