Zero service from MTN after sim swap

On Thursday 1 Feb 2024, I did a sim swap on my contracted MTN router, as my old modem were lost during January. I was told by the shop assistants that it would take around 24 hours for the sim to be registered on the network and that the sim would be active the next day. It is now a week later and still no network. I tried to log the call on the 135 number - even this proves to be difficult if you follow the instructions for a data line, you never get the option to speak to a MTN "champion". so lesson learnt, don't key in the data telephone number EVER. On Monday I logged an email request to MTN's customer care, to which the promise is also 24 hour turnaround time. Nothing happened. I send a reminder mail. I only got a response yesterday (Wednesday), showing that the call had been passed onto their business department. Being frustrated with no network and no action, I went to the same MTN shopat Soneike Mall in Kuilsriver, Cape Town. Going in I greeted the shop assistant, Shanice, who didn't greet me back, she just said to me, "I am busy with a client". I asked her name, and then went to sit down to wait. She then called over, "what is the issue". to my mind, her conduct is not very professional. She then assisted me (which consisted of me phoning the 135 number from my own phone). During this call, I was put on hold for 8 minutes for some inexplicable reason. We called again, and then was told that there is a "system error" because the sim card's "hot suspension" has been lifted, but it is not reflecting correctly. The call center "champion said it would reflect correctly within 2 to 24 hours from when the sim swap had been done. Well, it is now 168 hours later and still nothing. So convenient to blame it on the system error. and that there is nothing "we" can do. In the meantime I must just pay the contract. for no / terrible service.