Cannot SIM Swap - calls barred and consultants cannot help

<p>· I had requested Vodacom to activate SMS-Roamer on my cellphone while I was travelling abroad. But, VodacomSA did not confirm its activation. I made several calls to VodacomSA (customer care Nos. 0027 82 I11 and 123) for the response. After several calls, I was able to confirm its activation. During my trip I lost my Vodacom SIM card. On my return to South Africa, I visited the Vodacom outlet at Hatfield Mall (Pretoria) with my ID and proof of residence to get an alternate SIM and do a SIM-Swap. The consultant failed to verify my number (which has been in operation for over 12 years) and refused to do the SIM-Swap.</p> <p>· Later, the Vodacom outlet at the Mall of Africa (Midrand) issued me with a nano SIM assuring that the number would be active after three hours. Unfortunately, I could not make any calls with the newly swapped SIM, as call-barring was still enabled due to the initial SMS-roaming request that was activated. I sent a SMS message (SMSroamoff to 082 123), but never got any confirmation.</p> <p>· The consultants at the Mall of Africa outlet were adamant that my number may have been assigned to another person since I did not make any calls for the past three months while I was abroad and that there is no such thing as “SMS roamer”. I feel these consultants lack the technical understanding of business and operations which they handle and give advice on. Because...</p> <p>1) To the best of my understanding, a number does not get cancelled if it is not used for three months as I could make calls from another VodaSA-SIM that was idle for over six months.</p> <p>2) They had no knowledge on SMSRoaming!</p> <p>I would like this matter resolved and my SIM card/number unblocked or unbarred – as a matter of urgency – as there various institutions and contacts (friends, family and colleagues) that rely on this number to get hold of me.</p>