Unable to get my phone blacklisted

My cellphone was ****** on Saturday evening which I have a contract with MTN.Since the Callcentre is on strike and there are no alternative numbers that you can call to blacklist the phone .I went to the MTN store at Cresta Mall was assisted by a consultant his name was Bongani on Monday 25/05/2015 at 10:30am .Who also was not friendly and is very rude with attitude .He told me their callcentre is on strike and there is nothing they can do .I completed the blacklisting form and the only thing I was given is a ref no ***0.So the insurance is now refusing to do any claim since there phone is not blacklisted and the is no ITC no issued.The police station wont as well open a case without that number ,that's what I was told .I paid to do a simswap and was told it should be active within 24 hours so its over 24 hours and its still not active .We understand MTN is on strike so should customers be inconvenienced as well .