Rahima Essop

The much anticipated trial of eight policemen implicated in the murder of Ficksburg resident Andries Tatane is scheduled to start on Monday, one year after he was killed. 

Tatane was beaten and then shot dead during a service delivery protest in the Free State town.

The trial was set down for four days this week.

It was due to start in November 2011 but was postponed because the advocate handling the case was busy with another matter in the Supreme Court of Appeals.

At the time the prosecution said it was ready to proceed and that the Tatane family needed closure.

Previous court appearances were marked by protests, as angry residents called for the accused to be refused bail. 

But the officers, who were initially denied bail, appealed the decision and were released from custody.

(Edited by Clare Matthes)