Cellphone number deleted

I cant log into my vodamail account.I found that my number connected to it was deleted without any notice given.I phoned the customer service on 111 and they told me its deleted and that I need to go to a Vodacom shop to find out if the number are still available.Visited a shop in Ladysmith and the lady there were very unhelpful.Told me the same as the Customer service consultant.Said the number are recycled and that I must create a mail account with Gmail.So did not understand my needs or problem or should I say did not care. I know I did not recharge this number but why didn't Vodacom just even tried to give me notice?It are a prepaid number.Now I must let everyone know that my email address aren't working anymore.Accounts will not be paid cause I wont receive them and this because of a bad service provider which don't care.That's why I never used Vodacom in the past and this are the proof. Maybe its a blessing cause now I am not part of this bad company anymore.MTN are the best!