A heavy police contingent was called in to beef up security in the Lucky Dube murder trial after two of the three accused tried to escape from the High Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday morning.

With bloody swabs covering injuries on their heads, Sifiso Mhlanga and Mbuti Mabe were led into court by heavily-armed police officers.

Some of the more than 15 armed officers watched them from the aisle, along with a handful of correctional services officers and court orderlies.

Security guards padded down those entering the court room, including Dube's family members who were wearing white t-shirts with the reggae star's face emblazoned upon them.

As the two were led to the dock, followed by their co-accused Julius Gxowa, a family member shouted that police should have been harsher on the two when restraining them earlier.

"They didn't do anything, they should have been harsher."

Mhlanga and Mabe allegedly attacked a police officer with a brick as they were being led out of a police truck in the court's basement. Other officers on the scene managed to restrain them after they fired warning shots. The prisoners were shackled and taken to hospital with injuries sustained in the ensuing scuffle. A police officer was also taken to hospital for treatment.

As a result of the attempted escape Judge Seun Moshidi had to stand down the matter to 11.30am, to allow the injured time to be treated.

When the matter resumed about an hour later, Moshidi continued recapping evidence rendered by witnesses during the trial.

Judgment continues at 2pm.