Pretoria - Oscar Pistorius's murder trial has been delayed due to an interpreter problem, a justice department office said on Monday.
“We are currently having a problem with language services,” Emily Dhlamini told the court.
On Twitter, it was said that one of the Afrikaans interpreters got cold feet, burst into tears when she saw the crowds and wanted to pull out.
Pistorius had waited for over an hour for his trial to begin.
“We would like to apologise for the late start,” she said.
The justice department had two interpreters who were ready by 10.30am. but then had a problem with one, she said. She would not elaborate.
Pistorius left through a side door of the court.
Reeva Steenkamp’s mom, June, also left the court to take a short break.
Earlier, a woman known only as Annemarie was escorted out of the court.
She has previously tried to file last minute motions relating to Pistorius's mental state.
The ANC Womens' League sang outside the High Court in Pretoria ahead of the trial.
“Uyaya ejele...uyaya uOscar uyaya...” they sang.
The song says “Oscar is going to jail”. The ANCWL were joined by men in civilian clothes. - Sapa