why was my number deleted

hi,<br> I cancelled my data sim contract with CellC about a month ago, yesterday I was unable to make outgoing calls when I called CellC to enquire about this I was told that my number has been deleted because I cancelled the contract. This was not what I agreed on, I've had this number for 10years now why was it deleted? All i wanted was to cancel the contract but keep my connection with CellC even if its on prepaid, why was this not done? I am sure if you can move from contract to prepaid then surely you can do vice versa! I run a business and also was awaiting feedback on a Job interview, how am I supposed to get feedback and how are my suppliers supposed to get hold of me? I received no notification that my number would be deleted none whatsoever, All I knew is that I was cancelling my contract, surely this is a violation of my rights as a consumer. I need my number back asap, failing which I will hold Cellc accountable for any financial losses I incur. my *** number is what I have used for a decade how do you just delete that number without proper consultation etc? please re-instate or reverse the deletion of this number my temporary contact is *** or ***