Unsuccessful Takealot return after batteries went missing (probably ******) in the return process

We bought a battery operated pump through Takealot. We decided to return it as we bought another pump before the delivery of this one.

The one we bought on Takealot was in perfect condition and working when it arrived. We returned it with its batteries in perfect working condition. Takealot then informed us that our return was unsuccessful due to the batteries being missing and they delivered the pump back to us without batteries - thus in useless condition. It must have been ****** somewhere between pick up at our home and the warehouse where it was inspected. We communicated this to Takealot, but after 5 months we still sit with the useless pump without batteries since they are not allowing us to return it. If we had the batteries at least we would have been able to use it, but the delivery and return process of Takealot failed us and we were ****** from. We are very disappointed and do not trust Takealot enough to buy from them again.