Surprise holiday hanging on thin tread due to "reversed" payment!

<p>I bought flight tickets online on 23rd September 2016 and paid for them using the ABSA MasterPass App. Minutes later I got a call from ABSA (I assume the ***** division) trying to verify whether it was indeed me who performed the transaction. I confirmed that it was me and that they should process the payment. I also got an SMS from ABSA confirming that the transaction was successful as well as an e-mail from the airline confirming my online booking. Fast forward to today when I enquire about my eTickets the airline tells me my flights have been cancelled due to lack of payment! When I phone ABSA I’m told my transaction has been reversed! How is this even possible? </p>