Cell C sketchy data contract that can not be cancelled without harsh penalty.

I am trying to cancel my Cell C data only deal and instead use it as a pay as you go deal.

Now I am being told it is a contract and if I want to cancel the penalty for a cancelling is over R3000 for a R169 pm data deal.

How is this not a month to month deal. I feel misled since I did this deal telephonically when I cancelled my previous phone contract when it came to its end and took this data deal just to keep the line open. I would not have opted for a contract that I could not exit on such terms.

I would insist the contract is cancelled and the recording of the contract is found where they indicated that this contract is subject to this penalty when cancelled. I am unaware of any cancellation terms being read back to me.