Shocking service from ABSA re ********** credit card transaction

I am a so called Woolworths VIP black cardholder and I have been for more than 12 years. The card is administered by ABSA Bank. I settle my large credit card debt every month in full and consider myself a loyal, creditworthy customer. I had a ********** transaction on my card in early January 2021. ABSA actually stopped the first transaction and called me to verify whether I had in fact transacted. They said they had stopped the one transaction but had let the other of R1700 through. I asked them why they did this and I was told it was because "I myself has put through the transaction". Makes no sense - both transactions followed each other immediately for about the same amounts - why would a bank go to the effort of stopping the one and then call me and not hold the second transaction for me to approve.

I told the consultant that in no way had I transacted with the company shown on the SMS confirmation as I did not push a pay icon or get an OTP which I always get before I can purchase anything on the internet. As ABSA says on their website " You can be assured that your card allows you the ability to shop safely online and we use 3D Secure technology to add an extra layer of security for our customers" and "We encourage you to shop online during this period to stay safe and to be aware of the safety controls you have on your card when shopping online, to keep your card – and purchase – secure."

As far as I'm concerned if I don't get an OTP and then put it in the required field which automatically emerges once a pay icon is activated, then I've purchased nothing. I also noticed that the transaction was only processed on my card the next day - so why was it not stopped?!! I have had no correspondence from ABSA since 8 January 2021 and thus have not had any satisfactory resolution is refund of the R1700. I copied Woolworths into the email I sent ABSA disputes and had no satisfactory resolution there either. Between Woolworths and ABSA you get shunted around like a pawn from pillar to post as neither one wants to take responsibility for the issue. I suggest that ABSA as a matter of urgency gets a senior person who is capable of solving this issue to contact me. Please do not waste my time ABSA by giving me someone to deal with who can't make decisions or who has no influence in the matter! I've waited long enough don't you think?