SMS Port Functionality Does Not Work

I logged a telkom request to port my prepaid telkom number to my telkom contract sim. The sms functionality does not work. After a week had passed, I'm now told I must go to the Telkom store. When I was at the store they told me that if I do port my number, I will not have access to my phone for the entire week. I need my number as I use it for work purposes. This is unacceptable.