Data Sim Number lost at end of Contract

To Whom It May concern and for public alert <br> <br> I have taken a contract with Cell C 2 years ago. I have chosen not to continue on contract and to convert to prepaid. A month in advance i had notified that i would like to terminate the contract at the end of the period 30/06/2015 and convert my number to prepaid. I was told because it was data contract they cannot convert but i should get another sim , rica it and call in the 1 July 2015 and they will reserve the number for me. I did what i was advised and then they could not find the number on the system. They said they will check with the contracts department and come back to me of which i received no response so i called today 09 July 2015 only to be told the number is no longer available and they cannot do anything. To the public please be aware when taking a contract from Cell C , if you do not continue on the contract you will loose your number. To Cell C i want my number back , however you retrieve it is your problem because when a person takes the contract they are not advised of such.