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.