MTN Esim signup journey

I went to the MTN store to get myself an MTN Esim, I had to buy the physical sim card first to get it, so I paid R5 for the physical sim card and provided my ID and proof of address to RICA the sim card, then I had to insert the new MTN sim card into my phone to receive the new number which I did and provided to the sales agent, so that I would receive the esim number. I have received the new esim number only to be told once I started trying to make use of it that it is RICA Barred. I now have to go again to the store for what I have already rica'd it - on top of that I tried the customer care email and they gave me the steps to self-RICA an Esim. what a troublesome way to introduce this Esim. It is not worth the trouble.

Reference number: 965f9b11-e661-4d18-a***f0b89170