Number permanently deactivated

I have been using my number for the past 10 years and I have Rica registered it. I had a top up data contract with cell c and due to financial difficulties I haven't been able to pay them. The number was still in use and the last recharge I made was on the 26th May 2023 , however on the 31st May I received an sms stating that the contract has been canceled which I understand but what I don't understand is why did they have to permanently deactivate my number. I called the customer service and have been put from one agent to the other without proper assistance. Wasn't cell c supposed to suspend my number for a period instead of permanently deactivating it . Were they not supposed to notify me that they are deactivating my number. I use this number on every platform and even on my business. I have offered to pay what I owe but at the store in Lenasia Trade Route Mall they said there is nothing they can do even if I make the payment. Even the agents I spoke to said the number can't be retrieved but it hasn't been allocated to another client. It's less than 20 days that my number has been deactivated .