MTN and iStore costing me business

I spent 2 days at the Apple store in Somerset Mall to take out a new contract with MTN. My CellC contract was about to expire in the next month or two. The Assistant was VERY aware of this.

The assistant ASSURED me that as soon as my CellC contract expires, I simply ask them to put it on pay as you go. I then take my new MTN (which she activated) sim to MTN and they will port my number.

I have used this number for the last 10 years, all of my professional career. I have thousands of rands worth of branding with that number on and I run a business from that number.

MTN now tells me I can not port a number to already active simcard!!

Losing my number will cost me A TON of business.

In 2018 surely there has to be something that can be done!!!