Can’t even use my phone but must still pay for it

I had my phone ****** on Tuesday 8 March 2022. I went straight to the MTN Florida Road branch in Durban to get advice and they suggested I do a sim swop but couldn’t do it then because of loadshedding. Went back there the following day 9 March 2022 and they then told me my account was in arrears and my sim was blocked so I couldn’t do a swop. Knowing my account was up to date I could not get an accurate answer as to why it reflected such on the system. I paid reluctantly and then they told me it would take an hour to clear the block and I must just go to any MTN store because I don’t live near them. I have been to 6 different stores trying to get this sorted out and nothing has been done. I run everything off my phone and cannot afford to be without a SIM card for that number because all my online banking is linked to it as well as many other programs I use for business. I cannot understand why I cannot get this issue resolved whilst my account is now in credit.