A dramatic twist in the murder case involving South African paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.

It was revealed on Thursday that chief investigator Hilton Botha, who gave evidence against Pistorius the previous day, is himself facing charges for attempted murder.

Botha allegedly opened fire on a minibus with seven people on board in 2011 and is due to appear in court in May.

The charges were provisionally withdrawn, but were reinstated on Wednesday - at the behest of the state prosecutor - after Botha took to the stand against Pistorius.

Botha is also accused of contaminating the crime scene in Pistorius' house and had to backtrack on key details such as the distance of a witnesses from the home.

Some South Africans have called for the lead detective to be thrown off the case.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MAN ON THE STREET, BOTSWENE LEPUTE, SAYING:

"He is not the appropriate person to continue with the case. So, I think they should look for someone else."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MAN ON THE STREET, GODFREY BALOYI, SAYING:

"I think that the whole justice system needs an overhaul. Bring someone from outside to sort out this mess. Because Oscar Pistorius goes out scot-free."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WOMAN ON THE STREET, TRACY SHAM, SAYING

"Our police service seems to be very corrupt and not very efficient at what they do, and that has a big impact on people's lives in this country."

Pistorius arrived at the Pretoria court for a third day of his bail hearing on Thursday.

He has been charged with shooting dead his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, in the early hours of Valentine's Day.