The South African Human Rights Commission has confirmed that it's investigating police actions in an operation against illegal miners trapped underground who have been deprived of food and water supplies.

Residents have carried out the rescue operations, as police have refused to enter the shaft to retrieve those underground.

Briefing the media on Wednesday, minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said it was “not the government’s job to retrieve criminals”.

About 1,000 gold miners have already been arrested and the army and police are waiting for the rest.