We are having a couple of weeks in ZA in December, and finally today got round to booking accommodation. The following interesting variations occurred [I won't identify the properties concerned]:

Cape Town [hotel]: Booked with Amex, no problem, once I had convinced Amex this unusual transaction on my account was OK.

Franschhoek [wine estate/hotel]: Booked with Visa, as they don't take Amex. No problem.

Stellenbosch [wine estate/hotel]: Booked with Amex, seemingly no problem. HOWEVER, I then get an email saying that I either have to pay by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or ... wait for it ... "Or we can do a manual transaction. If you do the EFT payment please forward us the proof of payment once you have made the transfer. If you prefer we do a manual deduction we would require the attached credit card authorisation form [!!!!] to be completed and returned with a copy of your identification as well as a back and front copy of the card you wish to be deducted."

Excuse me?? I'm now required to email a scan of my passport, and both sides of my Amex??
After a quick exchange of emails, it seems I have to do this because I booked a Wine Tasting in addition to the accommodation? Only one of the other accommodation bookings asked for my (UK) passport details on the booking form, the other one didn't but has my address etc..

After a quick back and forward, my wife found somewhere else in Centraal Stellenbosch, so we booked there ... Amex, no passport details, simple as anything. Original booking cancelled, and their loss of 22k ZAR

From the original Stellenbosch establishment's T&C ... "If Guests are travelling from outside of South Africa we are obliged by law to require Guests to provide the number and place of issue of the given passport / identity card and details of their fixed home address. These records will be kept for a minimum of 12 months and may be disclosed or made available for inspection by any police officer or as otherwise required by applicable law in connection with the prevention or investigation of crime. The information above may be requested for each member of your party, including children, and we reserve the right to refuse entry to persons who cannot provide the information set out above."
But ... the others aren't asking for a scan of my passport, and both sides of my Credit Card!!

Has anyone else encountered this sort of process?