Bail hearing over Pistorius shooting enters final day

PRETORIA (AFP) - "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, facing trial for having shot dead his girlfriend, hopes to secure bail on Friday as prosecutors struggled to regain lost ground after the replacement of the lead officer in the investigation.

South Africa's police commissioner Riah Phiyega announced that lead officer Hilton Botha was being replaced after local media revealed he faced seven attempted murder charges for having opened fire on a minibus in 2011.

"We recognise the significance, the importance and the severity of the matter," said Phiyega.

The country's top detective, Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo would take over the case, she said.