Birth Records lost. Really!!!!!

I urgently require an unabridged and Vault Birth certificates. The company that I have been using for the service has been informed that the Department of Home Affairs has lost mine and my daughters records. In 2012 they were able to produce the Unabridged certificates under a week. The excuse now given is that they have moved offices twice since 2012 and they have lost the records. It is my understanding that all records are housed electronically. How can the only department in the country that is entrusted with the safekeeping of such important documents issue such a lame excuse to its citizens. Almost every important activity that one does no days in SA requires an unabridged and/or vault birth certificate. I do not see why citizens should be held "hostage" due the inefficiencies and carelessness of a government agency that is entrusted with the safekeeping of vital documents.