Absa
Card machines down on 17 Dec 2012 -please explain

I was wondering if someone could please explain why, when your ASBA card machines were down on the 17th December 2012 - no-one was informed of this.
I have just checked my account, and for cheque card purchases made on the 17th Dec - my account has only been debited now - 3, 5 weeks later for this to be paid, after receiving notification from my bank that these payments had already been made.
I am sure Im not the only one that has now checked their account - by chance mind you - and have noticed a whopping big negative.
I feel this is unprofessional service from ABSA bank to everyone who would have purchased Christmas items with any bank cheque card on the 17th December, thinking they had paid for them on that day, but in actual fact, they hadn't.

Please can someone respond to me as a matter of urgency on how this is going to be rectified.
I do not have cheque or savings account with ABSA, . I have a credit card through Virgin money that uses ABSA.
Thank you.