Blacklisting phone

Despite numerous other issues I have had recently with MTN, the most recent and frustrating issue was trying to blacklist my ****** phone. I had a perfectly working Nokia E7 ****** from my home. I have not recently used the phone since I had upgraded to a new handset. Now I am told that the phoned cannot be blacklisted because there was no SIM card in the phone. This is unacceptable sine the phone and SIM must be blacklisted separately and should not be co-dependant. My insurance will also not pay out until the ITC number is issued to confirm the phone has been blacklisted.<br> <br> PLEASE HELP!!