MTN month to month contract is a ****. They're finding every reason not to refund me R4, 999.99 debited from account unauthorized

In July 2025 I took out a month to month contract with MTN. The subscription was R295. It seemed a lot cheaper compared to other service providers, until I got to understand how the Fair User Policy works. I got frustrated and decided to rather cancel the contract and I subscribed to Rain. I gave notice of cancelation on the 29th of September. There was no acknowledgement of receipt of my request until I had to make a follow up days later. The response was that I need to take the device to the nearest MTN store. I took the device to an MTN store which struggled to book the device in and it was only done and confirmed on the 15th of October. I then received an IRMS number from the store which I then shared with the MTN. On the 24th of October 2025 I received an SMS stating that MTN confirms that the device has been repaired and dispatched. I must allow 3 to 4 days for delivery back to the store. I immediately called the customer care number. The person who answered the phone said it was an error from their system I should rather ignore and delete the message. I told her that I won't delete the message and asked that they work on their system because my ticket is for a cancelation and not repairs.My billing date is the 15th of every month, so in October they billed me. Mind you I had not even used the router the entire month of October. So in November a debit went off against my account which I reversed. They attempted the 2nd time, I reversed it. As if that was the end of it. On the 29th of December 2025. MTN went and debited R4, 999.99 from my account. It seemed like I was day dreaming. I called MTN and I was told that the debit is as a result of a device that has not been returned. I was livid. A ticket was logged for a refund after referencing all IRMS and I was told that a request for a refund has been sent to their finance department and I should wait 5-7 days. The requested confirmation of my banking details and proof of payment. One would have a POP had I instructed the bank to pay MTN. I then told that I can get a POP for a debit. Now that's a few days leading to their 5-7days. They then came back and asked for my bank statement, which I refused to share because I wasn't borrowing anything from them. On the 11th hour, the ticket was canceled because of outstanding documents which in this case was my bank statement. The 10th came and went by with no refund. A new ticket after submit a page of my bank statement logged. 5-7 days wait is today. I followed up on Tuesday (13th of January), there was no response from any1 then again on Wednesday. No response again. On Thursday, a response came through my email stating that the ticket has been canceled due to an outstanding invoice. The outstanding invoice is the R295 + interest charged for the reversal that I did in November. I've been sent from pillar to post and no one can assist. They saying I must R306 and only then will they refund me R4, 999.99 that they debited on the 29th of December. This is money that I need, I can't even pay the R306. So now I'm stuck between a rock.and hard place because some idiot didn't do their work. MTN is a ****mer. I would not advise anyone to even sign up for this month to month contract because you'll regret it. Once you reach FUP, the internet becomes slow you either top up or wait for the next cycle when they restore your FUP. M - Masepa T - Telecom N - Network

They're very good at 'apologizing for the inconvenience caused'