Deactivated number

Can someone at MTN please help me. I've spoken to customer care, contracts, retention and activations and no one can help me. My dad took a contract and the term ended in February and the contract was cancelled. Upon cancelation he was not given or explained to the option of changing to prepaid. Now the number in question which is *** has been deactivated as of 04/04/2023. All we need is the number back because we have been using it for 3 years and holds alot work and business information. Is there a way to get the Number back before its been recycled? PLEASE