Liseleng villagers in Thaba-Tseka were tortured by some police officers on Wednesday, during a protest against a crippling power outage which has gone on for more than a month.

The victims- 19 men and 16 women including the village chief and elderly women, were instructed to roll on the road leading to a nearby Matsoku River and then back again while being kicked and beaten with some sticks. The incident took place near the site of the Polihali Dam.

The villagers were eventually arrested and locked up at a police holding cell in Thaba-Tseka and were later released. They will appear in court soon.

Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Mpiti Mopeli said they had been charged with disturbing peace

Senior Supt Mopeli, however said, LMPS does not condone police brutality against villagers, adding that investigations were underway against the rogue officers.