Lapsed life cover after *********** consultants failed to carry instructions

I have been with old mutual for over 2 decades and my life cover with them before it lapsed was active for the past 16 years. I lost my job in Aug 2019 but have been paying my premiums until recently in July when my source went dry. Old mutual called me and I gave them instructions to debit first an alternative Fnb account as the one I had been using is currently in excess. I even asked if there was an alternative to do an eft but was told the only option available was a stop order or debit order. I then asked them to debit my Nedbank account on the 08th of October and this was not done. When I received no calls, I started panicking and thought that maybe they have decided to go with another date. I reached out to my financial advisor who sent me a debit order form which I completed and sent on the 11th of October. On the 12th of October I was again contacted by old mutual and told them that I had sent the debit order for me to my advisor, but decided to send it to them again. Last week when I made my advisor aware that I had been checking my account and the debit still hasn't gone through, I was told that the policy has lapsed. They are now telling me that the only option to reverse the paid up status is to pay the full arrears amount of R2422 which I don't currently have. There are people whom I am depending to for assistance and can only pay the R1211 at the moment. Can you please help me resolve this at your earliest convenience please. I feel I am being kicked when I am already down and unemployed. It'd not like I am not actively looking for a job to have my life in order but I am so disappointed to say the least