Unable to upgrade because of strike

My contract was moved over from Nashua mobile in November/December 2014 and I was under the impression that the account was being debited every month and now when I want to upgrade I discover my account is in arrears after absolutely no communication from MTN informing me that my account was in arrears. So on the 25th of May I paid the full arrears amount straight into MTN's bank account at ABSA and received the proof of payment. I took it to an MTN store so that they may unlock my account but only to find out that they cannot help me because of the ongoing strike. It is now day three and still my account remains in arrears and placing my credit record in the dumps. I have sent them a proof of payment but still my account is reflecting that it is with legal. I am unable to upgrade my phone causing me to be without a phone as my previous phone is broken. It is absolutely ridiculous that the employees at an MTN store cannot update the status of ones account if I am bringing them a proof payment with the full arrears amount paid up in full!! I am spending money on a locked account that I cant even use due to this incompetence.