Policy lapse with no communication

I had a policy since 2016 and lost my job in February. The policy was directly deducting from my pay. When I lost my employment I had not received a call from Safrican to even give me an option of continue to pay with debit order. Or any communication stating my policy has lapsed. I made a call today to see if the policy could be reinstated and I was told by the agen that no. I will need to take a new policy and not even the option of paying the outstanding premiums to keep the cover on. I am so upset and don't even know who to speak to to get this resolved.