Online card payments go through rigorous security checks to protect against fraud. The most common reason for a payment being refused is a failure in the 3D Secure verification process.
3D Secure is an additional authentication step required by Visa (Verified by Visa) and MasterCard (SecureCode). If your card is not enrolled in this program, or if the verification fails, the payment will be declined.
To resolve this:
1. Contact your card issuer (the bank that issued your card).
2. Ask them to enable Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode on your card.
3. Ensure that your card is authorized for international online transactions if you are outside South Africa.
4. Try the payment again.
If the problem persists after enabling 3D Secure, check with your bank to ensure there are no blocks on transactions to South African merchants.