SIM card for airtime

I went to PEP at Madadeni Boxer centre today, I wanted to buy a sim card after my number was SIM swapped without my knowledge. Instead of getting a sim card, I was told by the teller - her name Zama, that when one buys a sim card, they need to buy R15 airtime otherwise they dont get a sim. I explained to her that I needed to do a sim swap, and airtime is not needed on a sim swap, she said I need to explain that yo her manager - his name Peter, who confirmed that its a new law, I asked for something in black n white that confirms the law, they did not have it. You guys says we do not need to add airtime when buying a sim card for sim swap yet you change laws to people who sell your products, now I lost my number to ********s and cannot have it back. Please explain it to me because I am confused, its like MTN is working with ********s to rob us.