Apple Iphone 7 nightmare

Having problem with my password which hadnt changed at all by me and then requireing me to submit a recovery key which Icouldnt find anywhere, I approached apple to gain access to my phone. I submitted to them all the relevant proof of payment and store I bought from plus a certified copy of my ID. I was then instructed to "force reboot" which entails quite a lengthy process of 3 to 4 hours of restoring phone by holding volume and off buttons etc....Having gone through this whole process to the letter and having wiped out all my data and contacts and tried to set up as a new phone (as I was told) I have now absolutely no access to my phone and it still remains locked but now completely. It still shows my original signing in but wont accept my password, I went through the whole I tunes saga and then even took it to an Istore but to no avail....to frustrate things even further it permitted me to start up a new profile and took my card details etc with new password but then refused me access reverted back to the old profile and requiring not only password but recover key. I fully understand security etc but for crying out load after all the proof of ownership i provided surely apple / istores can sort this out. ...I spent exhaustive hours explaining to their useless call centre which are more like robots / broken records then any help.....I need my phone as its all I have to conduct my business but it looks like I am being forced to not only destroy this one but have to buy another one as my contract renewal is only April next year....is there anybody in the Durban area that can help...APPLE WHERE ARE YOU ON THIS