In short: Don’t release goods or refund on a WhatsApp screenshot. Ask which rail was used, ordinary EFT (batched; PASA says successful credits typically show later that day or a day or two later), RTC / immediate (PASA: cleared within 60 seconds), or PayShap (instant at participating banks). Then check your own bank app. Credit payments are final and irrevocable once processed (PASA), wrong account details are hard to unwind. Not financial advice.
Sources: PASA: credit payments.
1. Which payment route was used?
Ask the sender to open their official banking app and name the product shown (EFT, Immediate / RTC, PayShap, Cash Send, Instant Money, etc.). The rules are not interchangeable.
- EFT credits: PASA describes them as batched/bulked. Successful instructions typically reflect later that day or a day or two later, not “instant.” Weekends and public holidays can push an ordinary EFT to the next business day.
- RTC (often labelled Immediate Payment): PASA says an RTC instruction is cleared within 60 seconds and funds are available in the receiver’s account. Still irrevocable. Check the account number.
- PayShap: Rapid/instant rail at participating banks (account number or ShapID). Confirm status in both apps; do not assume every “instant” label is PayShap.
Full rail overview: How long do SA bank transfers take? · Weekend: Weekend EFT times.
2. What you should check (receiver)
- Log into your official bank app or website, not a link from a message.
- Confirm you are looking at the account whose details you gave.
- Search today’s and recent transactions for the amount / reference.
- If nothing shows and they claim PayShap/RTC, ask them for the in-app status and time sent.
- If they claim EFT and it has been less than a business day or two (or it was sent over a weekend), waiting may still be normal. Confirm with both banks if unsure.
3. Treat proof of payment as unverified
A PDF, screenshot or “successful” SMS from the sender is not the same as money in your account. Fake proofs are common. Only your bank balance / transaction list counts.
4. Wrong account or scam pressure
- PASA: credit transfers are irrevocable; processing uses the account details supplied. Wrong number → sender must use their bank’s official dispute / recall process. There is no guarantee of return.
- Do not “verify” a payment by sending money back, buying vouchers, or sharing OTPs.
- Banks will not ask you to move funds to a “safe account” via WhatsApp.
5. When to contact the bank
- Sender: if the debit left their account but status is unclear, or details were wrong, official app chat / call / branch.
- Receiver: if an expected PayShap/RTC credit is missing after a reasonable wait, or an EFT is still missing after the batched window their banks describe.
Last checked: September 2026 against PASA credit payments. Bank apps label products differently. Confirm in-app. Not financial advice.