Recycled Number

My MTN number that I had for years on contract and recently moved to prepaid was recycled without prior notice or any warning.

I called MTN, emailed and visited an MTN branch. They stated SIM card had been recycled and given to another client. I tried calling and it goes straight to voicemail, and my WhatsApp is still active with that number. The MTN agent told me that they could not assist me in any way with this matter.

I asked for the details of the new person so that I can contact them and buy back the number, they stated that they could not provide me with any details of the new owner due to the POPI act. I asked if they could check if the number was registered to someone new as it just goes to voicemail, they cannot help with that either. I have many accounts linked to that number and it can lead to ***** on my name. The SIM was RICA’d to me , so how can it just be given to someone else?

I received zero communication , or notification that my SIM card was going to be recycled due to the lack of transactions on the sim, in fact, I had no idea that you guys could give away my number to someone else without my consent?

It was never stated to me that I was required to load airtime in order to keep a number that belonged to me.

I've always sworn by MTN and have several contracts out with them, but after this I've lost hope and will stay to change over to a new network provider once these contracts end Disappointing, unprofessional, and no communication in this process.