Photo: enewschannel Johannesburg — The resignation from the police of Hilton Botha will not affect the murder investigation of paralympian Oscar Pistorius, of which he was the former lead detective, the police said on Friday.
"No, it will have no effect on the case. Investigations are ongoing. If he is needed for court he will be subpoenaed," said Brigadier Neville Malila.
Botha resigned with immediate effect on Wednesday.
"The reasons given are between himself and the organisation. It is a personal decision ultimately," said Malila.
He said other cases Botha had been working on would be assigned to other detectives at station level.
Malila said Botha had been an investigator for many years and a member of the police for more than 22 years.
"It is a lot of experience that we are losing, but it is his personal decision."
Botha's removal from the Pistorius case followed reports in February that he had been charged with attempted murder. Police later confirmed that he had seven attempted murder charges pending.
In 2011, Botha allegedly fired shots at a minibus while trying to stop the vehicle. Seven people were in the taxi at the time.
Botha told Sapa he was looking forward to his new job, but was coy about exactly what it entailed.
It was different, but in a similar field to what he was doing in the police.
"It is a new area, but I am happy about it."
Botha said his new employers approached him about a week ago.
He would not give further details about his new position or employer, and said it would bring unnecessary attention to them.
"The most important reason [for my resignation] is that I want to send my son to university next year and with a police salary it would have been impossible for me."
Botha said he harboured no ill-feelings towards the police service. "I really enjoyed all the years I worked [there]," he said.
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