Gave away my number after so many years

*** ID: *** I can't believe MTN just gave my number to another person/business. My line was suspended but I paid through attorneys & emailed the settlement to *** on the 10/05/2021. I never asked for my line to be cancelled & I was made to believe that it would be reactivated in 2 weeks by Thembisile. Now I want an upgrade & they say I have to apply from scratch with a new number. this number has been mine for so many years. How can you do this to me?