The trial of eight Free State policemen accused of murdering protester Andries Tatane started in the Ficksburg Regional Court on Monday.
The case was delayed earlier because court officials were trying to find a projector to show a video.
However, the State said around lunchtime that it would start while still waiting for the projector to arrive from Bloemfontein.
There was a strong police presence at the court. Tatane's relatives and local residents filled the gallery.
His wife Rose and other family members arrived at court at 8am, about an hour before the case was supposed to start, and took their seats in the front row.
A court orderly asked those in the public gallery not to react or comment when the video of the day in question was screened.
Lawyer for the policemen, Johann Nel, said earlier the defence was ready to proceed.
Tatane was killed in Meqheleng, allegedly by public order police, during a service delivery protest on April 13 last year.
The accused are: Nicodemus Israel Moiloa, Mothusi Magano, Mphonyana Ntaje, Olebogeng Mphirime, Solomon Moeketsi, Jonas Skosana, Kanathasen Munsamay, and Isaac Finger.
Video footage showed riot police beating Tatane during a march to the Setsoto municipal offices in Ficksburg. Over several days, roads were blocked with stones and bricks, and tyres set alight.
Two of the policemen were charged with murder. The other six face charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The case had been set down for four days. – Sapa