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The government would only consider bringing in the defence force to tackle cash-in-transit gunmen and mall robbers if the situation was "out of control", the Safety and Security Department said on Friday.

Spokesman Trevor Bloem said the SA National Defence Force's primary function was for external duties, but they could be drawn in if required.

"If things turn out of control I am sure the necessary steps can and will be considered, like bringing in the SANDF," Bloem said.

"At this juncture I am sure the SAPS will be quite capable of dealing with these criminal elements. The SANDF does play a backup role. We have not reached the stage when SANDF should perform policing functions."

Police were mounting several operations countrywide.

"Let's give the police a chance to prove that they are capable of fighting these criminals."

There have been a spate of mall robberies and cash heists in Gauteng in the past months.

In the latest incident, four men shot dead a police official and injured two others in Rosebank, Johannesburg, on Friday morning.

The men struck again later in Fourways when they opened fire on a man who had just drawn money at an American Express.

On Thursday morning a security guard was killed and two others were critically injured in a cash heist on the N12 highway near Edenvale.

On Monday afternoon two people were arrested at a garage near the Soweto highway for their alleged involvement in a cash heist on Monday afternoon. The two allegedly attacked three security guards as they picked up money in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg.

Last week three security guards were injured and a motorist was wounded in an attempted cash heist at Gillooly's interchange near Bedfordview, while two men were recently arrested after an attempted heist at Gold Reef City Casino.

Bloem said police started a festive season operation with additional operations being held on November 21. The operation will last until January.

The Democratic Alliance called for the SANDF to be brought in after the shootings in Rosebank on Friday morning.

"The DA have called for more back up to help SAPS, metro police and security guards by sending in manpower from SANDF," party spokesman Darren Bergman said.

"We need to fight fire with fire and declare war on these well-trained syndicates that run roughshod over our anti-crime forces.

"Crime prevention operations and road blocks should be set up more regularly around these times in strategic spots and cash-in-transit vehicles should have chase cars following them as extra back up."

Spokeswoman for Community Safety in Gauteng, Phumla Mthala, said there had been a large spate of heists in a relatively short time.

However, police had to be given credit for foiling a number of potential robberies. The police, she said, had stepped up patrols and were building relationships with the managers of filling stations and malls.

"Air patrols have been stepped up and unmarked police vehicles are patrolling," she said.

"Police stations have developed a close relationship with filling stations and the managers of malls and small businesses. If they see anything suspicious they have an open line to head of the station to ensure a quick response."

Mthala said malls had to improve their security.

"Some shops are seen as soft targets. Many of them have easy access and they have vast amounts of cash but poor security. In many the surveillance cameras are not working properly."

Police in Gauteng were doing everything they could to fight crime.

"We are fighting this battle. We are doing our best," she said.