Pistorius, investigator grilled in court

Pretoria - Prosecutor Gerrie Nel was caught unawares when reports surfaced that the investigator in the Oscar Pistorius case, Hilton Botha, was himself charged with attempted murder, the Pretoria Magistrate's Court heard on Thursday.

"We didn't know," said Nel.

He continued: "We have heard that he will appear in May."

Magistrate Desmond Nair then asked that Botha be fetched, and he called for an adjournment for this purpose.

This followed reports that Botha faces attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting at a minibus taxi.

Nair asked about the incident.

Nel said it happened in December 2011 and that the matter was on the court roll until March 2012. It was then withdrawn, but was later reinstated.

Nel said Botha was in the building and would be fetched.

Investigation

Botha was then questioned about a previous assault case against Pistorius which he dealt with that was withdrawn, and the process of obtaining Reeva Steenkamp's phone records and billing information.

A Sarie magazine article, in which Pistorius apparently mentioned he had a home in Italy, was also referred to. Defence advocate Barry Roux pointed out that Pistorius does not own any property abroad.

Botha then stood down and Roux began his closing arguments.

Pistorius is charged with murdering Steenkamp, which he has denied in an affidavit.