A payslip may show net pay of R31,800 while the bank statement records R30,950. That difference deserves an explanation, but it does not by itself establish that either record is false.
Start with the payment description
Look for a split payment, a staff loan deduction processed outside payroll, or an amount paid to another account. Some employers reimburse expenses separately, which can make total credits higher than net pay without increasing recurring income.
Compare more than one month
A single month can include leave adjustments, commission, arrears or an unpaid day. Three consecutive pay periods reveal whether the difference repeats. Record the precise dates and values before asking the applicant or employer to clarify.
Keep the conclusion narrow
The useful conclusion is not “acceptable” or “unacceptable.” It is whether the records reconcile, partly reconcile, or remain unexplained. The tenancy decision should then apply the landlord’s published criteria consistently.