Pretoria – The State is confident about its murder case against paralympian Oscar Pistorius, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Wednesday.

Investigating officer Hilton Botha had not been “discredited” by the defence’s examination earlier in the day, NPA spokesman Medupi Simasiku told reporters in Pretoria.

“It is normal for the cross-examination to happen like that. We believe that he (Botha) is strong enough to stand that (examination),” said Simasiku.

“The bail application is still on, but as the State we remain confident that we will get what we want. Until tomorrow (when the bail application resumes), the status quo remains the same.”

The State is opposing Pistorius’ application for bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

On Wednesday, advocate Barry Roux accused the police of contaminating the scene while investigating the St Valentine’s Day shooting of Pistorius’ girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

He accused Botha of walking around the house, in Pretoria, without protective shoe covers.

Botha said he should have worn them, “but they were not around”.

Roux again asked Botha if there was nothing in Pistorius’ statement that was inconsistent with the scene.

“Yes, at this stage,” said Botha.

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