Prosecutors reinstated attempted murder charges against a policeman leading the murder investigation into world-famous athlete Oscar Pistorius, in the latest twist in a case that has captivated South Africa and threatens to bring down a national idol. 
 
 Investigating officer Hilton Botha sits inside the witness box during the bail hearing for Oscar Pistorius at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. South Africa's National... (Associated Press) 
 
 Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius's father Henke Pistorius, right, with daughter Aimee, left, during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. The lead... (Associated Press) 
 
 FILE- In this Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 file photo, Investigating officer Hilton Botha, sits inside the court witness box during the Oscar Pistorius bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South... (Associated Press) 
 
 Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands inside the court as a police officer looks on during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013. A South African... (Associated Press) 
 
 Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius stands during his bail hearing at the magistrate court in Pretoria, South Africa, Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013. South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority acknowledged that... (Associated Press) 
 
 The announcement that detective Hilton Botha faces reinstated charges in connection with a 2011 shooting incident came a day after he testified for the prosecution in Pistorius' bail hearing, and by all accounts bungled his appearance. He acknowledged Wednesday that nothing in Pistorius' account of the fatal Valentine's Day shooting of his girlfriend contradicted what police had discovered. 
 
 The spokeswoman for the nation's prosecutors urged that Botha be removed from the Pistorius case. 
 
 Pistorius, an Olympian whose lower legs were amputated when he was less than a year old, claims he mistook girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp for an intruder when he shot her in a locked bathroom in his home. 
 
 Bulewa Makeke, spokeswoman for South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, acknowledged Thursday that the timing of the attempted murder charges is "totally weird" but said Botha should be dropped from the case against the world-famous athlete. However Makeke said the charges against Botha were reinstated against Botha on Feb. 4, before his testimony Wednesday and even before Steenkamp was killed. Police said they were notified Wednesday of the reinstated charges which stem from a 2011 shooting incident in which Botha and two other officers allegedly fired at a minibus. 
 
 Makeke indicated the charge was reinstated because more evidence had been gathered, saying the charge against Botha was initially dropped "because there was not enough evidence at the time. But then, obviously the investigation continued up to the fourth (of) February and the senior public prosecutor was in a position to make a decision to reinstate the case." 
 
 She emphasized that it is a decision for police and not prosecutors whether to take Botha off the Pistorius case, one that has riveted the world's attention and is bringing scrutiny on South Africa's justice system. 
 
 "Is he going to be dropped from the case? I don't know. I think the right thing would be for him to be dropped," Makeke said outside Pretoria Magistrate's Court shortly before Pistorius' bail hearing went into a third day. "Obviously there will be consultations between the two (police and prosecutors) to determine what is the best course of action." 
 
 Pistorius' main sponsor Nike, meanwhile, suspended its contract with the Paralympic champion, following on from eyewear manufacturer Oakley's decision to suspend its sponsorship Monday. Nike said in a brief statement on its website: "We believe Oscar Pistorius should be afforded due process and we will continue to monitor the situation closely." 
 
 Botha was summoned by the magistrate at the start of Thursday's bail hearing for Pistorius. The hearing began on Tuesday and is already running behind schedule, with it expected to have been completed on Wednesday. 
 
 Chief Magistrate Desmond Nair asked the defense: "Do you think there will be some level of shock if the accused is released?" 
 
 Defense lawyer Barry Roux responded: "I think there will be a level of shock in this country if he is not released." 
 
 Earlier Thursday, Nair questioned Botha over delays in processing records from phones found in Pistorius' house following the killing of Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and budding reality TV contestant. 
 
 "It seems to me like there was a lack of urgency," Nair said as the efficiency of the police investigation was again questioned after Botha conceded to a string of blunders on the second day of the hearing. 
 
 They did not discuss anything relating to the attempted murder charges against Botha and if he should continue on the case. Police say that Botha and two other police officers fired at a minibus they were trying to stop, and will appear in court in May to face seven counts of attempted murder. 
 
 Pistorius, in the same gray suit, blue shirt and gray tie combination he has worn throughout the bail hearing, stood ramrod straight in the dock as the magistrate arrived Thursday and then sat calmly looking at his hands as Roux picked apart the prosecution's argument. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the athlete was slumped over and sobbing uncontrollably at times as detail was read out of how Steenkamp died in his house. 
 
 Roux continued to cast doubt on the state's case and the investigation, following up after lead investigator Botha conceded Wednesday that police had left a 9 mm slug in the toilet where Steenkamp died, had lost track of illegal ammunition found in the home and that Botha himself had walked through the scene without protective shoe covers, possibly contaminating the area. 
 
 "The poor quality of the evidence offered by investigative officer Botha exposed the disastrous shortcomings of the state's case," Roux said Thursday. "We cannot sit back and take comfort that he is telling the truth." 
 
 Roux also raised issue of intent, saying the killing was not "pre-planned" and referred to a "loving relationship" between the two. 
 
 He said Thur an autopsy showed that Steenkamp's bladder was empty, she suggesting she had gone to use the toilet as Pistorius claims. Prosecutors claim Steenkamp had fled to the toilet to avoid an enraged Pistorius. 
 
 "The known forensics is consistent" with Pistorius' statement, Roux said. The lawyer said the evidence does not even show Pistorius committed a murder. 
 
 Botha also testified earlier Thursday that he had investigated a 2009 complaint against Pistorius by a woman who claimed the athlete had assaulted her. He said that Pistorius had not hurt her and that the woman had actually injured herself when she kicked a door at Pistorius' home. 
 
 Botha was only questioned for 15 minutes before he was excused by Nair, but South Africa's prosecuting authority and the police still had to make a decision over whether the 24-year police veteran would be removed from the investigation because of the charges against him. 
 
 In summing up the defense argument in the bail hearing, Roux asked that bail restrictions be eased for Pistorius, who then began crying softly. 
 
 ___ 
 
 AP Sports Writer Gerald Imray in Johannesburg contributed to this report. ||||| Media caption Police chief Mangwashi Phiyega said Detective Botha would be replaced by Lt Gen Vinesh Moonoo 
 
 South Africa's top detective is to take over the Oscar Pistorius inquiry amid attempted murder accusations against current lead officer Hilton Botha. 
 
 Detective Botha was removed pending the result of an investigation into seven counts of attempted murder. 
 
 National police commissioner Mangwashi Phiyega announced the change after a third day of testimony at Mr Pistorius's bail hearing. 
 
 Mr Pistorius, 26, denies murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, 29. 
 
 Ms Steenkamp died after being shot three times at Mr Pistorius' home on 14 February. 
 
 'No embarrassment' 
 
 Ms Phiyega said the police had received feedback from state prosecutors about Det Botha only on Wednesday. 
 
 Analysis The news Hilton Botha is facing reinstated charges of attempted murder has stunned everyone. The immediate question is what impact, if any, the news may have on the prosecution argument that Mr Pistorius should not be allowed bail pending trial. The timing of the reinstatement of the charges is still unclear and the National Prosecuting Authority says they are in no way connected to the athlete's murder case. It is curious, though, that the information about Det Botha was not provided to the Pistorius defence team or, apparently, to the prosecution. Some might argue that Det Botha, who wilted under strenuous cross-examination by the defence, eventually conceding that he had not yet seen any evidence to contradict the athlete's version of events, has already done enough damage to the prosecution's call for Mr Pistorius to be denied bail and that the new revelations may not affect the magistrate's decision significantly. 
 
 She described him as an "experienced detective" who was not yet facing any criminal charges. 
 
 However, she said she was using her authority as national police chief to ask Lt Gen Vineshkumar Moonoo to take over the Pistorius case. 
 
 Gen Moonoo is reported to be a veteran of some 30 years service. He will work with the police chief in Gauteng province on a case Ms Phiyega said required attention "at a national level". 
 
 "We recognise the significance, the importance and the severity of the matter," she said of the Pistorius case. 
 
 She denied that the decision to replace Det Botha was embarrassing for the police. He has not been suspended and could remain a potential witness in any trial. 
 
 The BBC's Pumza Fihlani, in Pretoria, says the claims against Det Botha refer to a 2009 incident in which he and several other officers allegedly opened fired on a minibus taxi carrying seven passengers when the driver apparently disobeyed an order to stop. 
 
 The detective is expected to appear in court in May, reports say. 
 
 'Poor quality evidence' 
 
 In court on Thursday, defence and prosecution lawyers offered their final arguments. 
 
 The magistrate is expected to issues his ruling on Mr Pistorius's bail application on Friday. 
 
 Media caption Journalist Alex Eliseev: Why wasn't this revealed in court? 
 
 Lead defence lawyer Barry Roux asked for the charge of premeditated murder to be downgraded, and said Det Botha's contradictory evidence on Wednesday had undermined the prosecution's case. 
 
 Mr Roux said: "The poor quality of the evidence offered by investigative officer Botha exposed the disastrous shortcomings of the state's case." 
 
 The defence counsel said the fact that Mr Pistorius had carried Ms Steenkamp downstairs showed he was desperate to save her life. 
 
 Mr Roux added that the "known forensics is consistent" with the sprinter's version of events, and that a post-mortem examination showed Ms Steenkamp had an empty bladder at the time of her death. 
 
 That would indicate that she visited the bathroom of her own accord, rather than to escape her boyfriend, he said. 
 
 On Wednesday, Det Botha told the court that the trajectory of gunshots through the bathroom door indicated that Mr Pistorius, a double amputee, was wearing his prosthetic legs and shot downwards through the door. 
 
 This contradicted an earlier account given by Mr Pistorius, who said he was walking on his stumps and grabbed his gun because he felt vulnerable when he thought an intruder had entered his home. 
 
 But Det Botha also amended his testimony on the proximity of the witness who he said had heard arguments. 
 
 He said police had lost track of ammunition found inside the house, and was also accused of not wearing protective clothing at the crime scene. 
 
 The defence also countered police suggestions that testosterone and needles had been found in Mr Pistorius's bedroom, arguing instead that the substance was a herbal remedy called Testocompasutium co-enzyme. 
 
 On Thursday, prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court that Mr Pistorius should not be granted bail simply because he is famous. 
 
 He branded Mr Pistorius as a man "prone to violence" who threatened Ms Steenkamp and eventually killed her. 
 
 He was critical of Mr Pistorius' sworn affidavit read to the court on Tuesday, said the athlete had a history of violence as described him as "willing and ready to kill". ||||| Final arguments began today in the bail hearing of Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with premeditated murder in the killing of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine's Day. 
 
 Today saw the case's lead investigator, Hilton Botha, removed from the case after prosecutors reinstated attempted murder charges against him in connection with a 2011 incident. Read details about today's hearing below, or check out our FULL STORY. 
 
 Also, follow @RobynCurnow who was tweeting from inside the Pretoria courtroom. 
 
 [Updated at 9:04 a.m. ET] The court has adjourned proceedings for the day. 
 
 [Updated at 8:41 a.m. ET] The state makes the argument that Pistorius shows no realization of what he has done. 
 
 [Updated at 8:38 a.m. ET] 
 
 Magistrate: is it possible the accused could 'orchestrate' the scene after shooting? Re positioning of gun and cellphones— 
 
 Robyn Curnow (@RobynCurnowCNN) February 21, 2013 
 
 [Updated at 8:28 a.m. ET] The state begins its closing arguments. CNN's Robyn Curnow tweets from the court that there will be no decision on bail today. 
 
 [Updated at 8:10 a.m. ET] The magistrate asks if there will be shock should Pistorius be released on bail. Defense says there'll be shock if he isn't. 
 
 [Updated at 8:04 a.m. ET] The magistrate says there is evidence relating to previous violent behavior by Pistorius. That evidence includes claims of threats made by Pistorius and the discharging of a weapon at a restaurant. 
 
 [Updated at 7:50 a.m ET] Pistorius comes back in from holding cells. So does magistrate. No mention of "threat'" 
 
 [Updated at 7:44 a.m. ET] Threat of some kind reported. Magistrate quickly adjourns hearing. 
 
 [Upsated at 7:36 a.m. ET] Pistorius defense claims that evidence presented by police was extremely poor – amounting to a monumental collapse of the state's case. 
 
 [ Updated at 7:33 a.m. ET] Pistorius is utterly still – he hasn't moved or twitched. So different from the weeping, shaking man from two days ago. 
 
 [Updated at 7:24 a.m. ET] Now Pistorius' defense is saying there was no heated argument between the track star and his girlfriend. This would directly challenge evidence from witnesses relating to loud voices heard at 3 a.m. 
 
 [Updated at 7:03 a.m. ET] The magistrate asks: Why didn't Steenkamp call out from the toilet when Pistorius shouted that there was an intruder? 
 
 [Updated at 6:53 a.m. ET] Defense: Reeva likely to have "frantically locked the door" if she heard Pistorius shouting at a burglar. That's why door was locked. 
 
 [Updated at 6:39 a.m. ET] Defense says autopsy showed Reeva Steenkamp's bladder was empty. That would be consistent with someone going to toilet at 3 a.m. 
 
 [Updated at 6:02 a.m. ET] The defense says that if Pistorius wanted to kill his girlfriend, he could have done it in the bedroom. 
 
 [Updated at 5:47 a.m. ET] The defense says the evidence doesn't show that Pistorius committed murder. It is arguing for a lesser charge. Pistorius sits with his head bent. 
 
 [Updated at 5:42 a.m. ET] Final arguments start. 
 
 [Updated at 5:32 a.m. ET] The State reads out the Sarie article in which Pistorius is quoted as saying the mayor built him a house in a small Italian town. 
 
 [Updated at 5:30 a.m. ET] The State offers a Sarie Magazine interview with Pistorius as proof that he said he has a house in Italy. The Defense says he doesn't. 
 
 [Updated at 5:20 a.m. ET] Court is back in session. 
 
 [Updated at 5:01 a.m. ET] Nike has suspended its contract with Oscar Pistorius. 
 
 "We believe Oscar Pistorius should be afforded due process and we will continue to monitor the situation closely," the apparel company said in a statement. 
 
 [Updated at 4:34 a.m. ET] The judge adjourns court while State goes to find Botha. 
 
 [Updated at 4:32 a.m. ET] The prosecution says neither they nor the investigating officer, Botha, were aware that he was facing seven counts of attempted murder. They said they thought the charges were withdrawn. The judge wants the State to call the investigating officer. 
 
 [Updated at 4:07 a.m. ET] 
 
 This is the wall of photographers awaiting #OscarPistorius http://t.co/KnPewKO96i— 
 
 Robyn Curnow (@RobynCurnowCNN) February 21, 2013 
 
 [Updated at 2:55 a.m. ET] The women's branch of South Africa's ruling party wants to know why Pistorius is being detained in a holding cell at the Brooklyn Police Station – and not at Central Prison or Newlock where other defendants awaiting trial are kept. 
 
 "If there is some special circumstance that permits this, authorities must share this with the public as they are setting a bad precedent," said a statement from the African National Congress Women's League. "All should be treated equally before the law no matter your standing in society." 
 
 The group said Pistorius is getting special treatment, adding that his family can visit him even outside visiting hours – unlike families of other inmates. 
 
 "If Pistorious is denied bail he must be moved to a proper prison facility with others accused of similar crimes," the statement said. "A strong message must be sent out that wealth and celebrity cannot give you an advantage over the law." 
 
 Pistorius' lawyers requested Brooklyn last week so that they could have access to their client over the weekend. The state did not object. 
 
 [Updated at6 8:34 a.m. ET] 
 
 Magistrate: is it possible the accused could 'orchestrate' the scene after shooting? Re positioning of gun and cellphones— 
 
 Robyn Curnow (@RobynCurnowCNN) February 21, 2013 
 
 [Updated at 2:12 a.m. ET] Here is the full family statement: 
 
 Following the recent tragic events and the enormous global interest, the family of Oscar Pistorius has taken the decision to devote his official website to the latest news about developments as well as messages of support. The website will provide the opportunity for the media to make enquiries or requests but for understandable legal reasons it may not always be possible to respond or comment. The Pistorius family and Oscar’s management company have been inundated with messages of support and condolences for Oscar and for the family of Reeva Steenkamp from all over the world. Mr Arnold Pistorius, uncle of Oscar, said on behalf of the family: “We believe that this is an appropriate way to deal with the expressions of support we have received as well as keeping the media informed about any key developments in the case. “We have every confidence as a family that when the world has heard the full evidence that this will prove to be a terrible and tragic accident which has changed many lives forever. We are praying for everyone touched by this tragedy.” 
 
 [Updated at 2:10 a.m. ET] Oscar Pistorius' family disputed the prosecution's contention that a banned substance was found in the athlete's house. "Oscar, was not using any drugs listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned substances, usage of which would ban him from competing in athletics competitions," the family said in a statement Thursday. "The IAAF will have records of every single drugs test that was undertaken in and out of competitions. He has been tested on a number of occasions during the last couple of years and he has never failed a drug test to date." 
 
 [Updated at 2:06 a.m. ET] Pistorius' family said Thursday it will now use his official website, OscarPistorius.com, to disseminate information about the case. 
 
 "We believe that this is an appropriate way to deal with the expressions of support we have received as well as keeping the media informed about any key developments in the case," said Arnold Pistorius, his uncle. 
 
 
 
 [Posted at 1:20 a.m. ET] The sensational case of Oscar Pistorius took a new turn Thursday when police said that the lead investigator is facing seven counts of attempted murder stemming from an incident four years ago. 
 
 That investigator, Hilton Botha, and several other police officers apparently fired at a minibus they were chasing in late 2009, spokesman Neville Malila told CNN affiliate eNCA. 
 
 The officers were allegedly drunk at the time, the spokesman said. 
 
 They were arrested on seven counts of attempted murder - for the number of occupants in the minibus, the spokesman said. ||||| Oscar Pistorius was estimated to receive endorsements worth more than $2m a year. Two days ago, his agent assured the media that these sponsorships were safe. Now it's being reported that Oakley has cancelled its contract with Pistorius and Nike has "no further plans" to use him in advertisements. 
 
 Pistorius was one of the world's most in-demand sports personalities for marketers who couldn't get enough of his inspirational back-story, athletic success and boyish good looks. His sponsorship deal with Nike has received the most attention, following a series of other sportsmen backed by Nike who turned out to be brand liabilities. But his endorsements stretched well beyond the footwear giant, taking in British telecoms firm BT, sunglasses maker Oakley, and French designer Thierry Mugler, to name just a few. 
 
 When news first broke of the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp in uncertain circumstances, many advertisers seemed to be adopting a wait-and-see attitude. The only brand which responded quickly was local TV broadcaster M-Net, which took down billboards featuring Pistorius's face – part of an ongoing campaign linking Pistorius to Oscar-winning movies – on the day that Steenkamp was confirmed dead. After a Nike ad proclaiming that Pistorius was the "bullet in the chamber" began to circulate rapidly on social media, Nike pulled this one particular ad, but initially took no wider action. 
 
 On Sunday, Pistorius's agent, Peet van Zyl, told journalists that sponsors remained committed to the athlete despite the murder charge. But as further details of the shooting have emerged, it appears the marketers' feet are feeling distinctly chilly. 
 
 Nike told Associated Press on Monday that Oscar Pistorius would not feature in future campaigns. Spokesman KeJuan Wilkins was staying mum, however, on the issue of whether Nike had previously planned to use Pistorius in imminent advertising, though it seems likely – Pistorius had a jam-packed year scheduled, including an appearance in Australia in March which has now been cancelled. Oakley took a more definitive step, suspending its contract with Pistorius. 
 
 On a local level, Pistorius was one of a number of South African celebrities featuring in the "It Gets Better" campaign, where high-profile figures give support to gay teenagers. Pistorius was shown in the video saying, "Just remember that you're special. You don't have to worry. You don't have to change. Take a deep breath and remember it will get better." On Monday the campaign's organiser, UCT's Andrew Barry, confirmed to Mambaonline that "given the recent circumstances, the video is no longer part of the programme." 
 
 A spokeswoman for Thierry Mugler, the fragrance house for which Pistorius fronts A*Men, a men's scent, declined to comment on the matter last week. But as of Tuesday, Mugler appeared to have removed Pistorius's image from its website. In light of current circumstances, the brand may be regretting the blurb chosen to link the athlete to its scent: "Part man, part god and unchained by the conventional codes of seduction, he is defined by his interior strength and his desire to conquer… Oscar Pistorius possesses the masculine values which Thierry Mugler holds so dear."
– Lead detective Hilton Botha is now off the Oscar Pistorius murder case now that he's facing his own attempted murder charges, the police commissioner announced today. A new detective has been brought in, the BBC reports. A spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority had earlier told Reuters that the decision to reinstate charges against Botha was made on Feb. 4, "way before the issue of Pistorius came to light or the murder of Reeva was committed. It's completely unrelated to this trial." Another spokesperson for the NPA calls the timing "totally weird," the AP reports. She says the charges were reinstated when more evidence came to light. More recent developments: The sponsor fallout has begun: Nike suspended its endorsement contract with Pistorius, which it's had since 2007, today, Reuters reports. The company stressed in a statement that Pistorius "should be afforded due process" and promised to "monitor the situation closely." Oakley has also canceled its contract with Pistorius, according to the Guardian. Still safe for now are other endorsement deals with French designer Thierry Mugler and British telecom company BT, though pictures of Pistorius seem to have been removed from Mugler's website. Today, the final day of Pistorius' bail hearing, the judge abruptly adjourned the hearing, citing some sort of threat outside the building, CNN reports. It was apparently resolved within minutes, because the hearing resumed and the threat was not mentioned again. Click for the latest developments.