Customer centricty FAIL!

I have had the same pre-paid cellphone number for about 6 years. I have FICA'ed this number, and provided all my information. I also have another contract with Vodacom (so would assume they also have my contract number and the two should be linked on the system.<br> I use this pre-paid number for when I travel, especially into Africa which I do a lot, to leave this extra phone at home for my **** or my house sitter if there is an emergency. And also for me to be able to reach them. So I don't recharge the phone unless the credit has run out. And I don't use the phone unless there is an emergency. But I was aware of the rule that you had to make use of the phone at least every six months to keep the number. I make sure that I call the balance check to see if there is money on the phone and assumed this was \activity on the phone\". Only to find that now when I needed the phone, they have not only deactivated the number, but have given the number away to someone else! Apparently the \"Rule changed\" to three months. But how would I as a consumer who has had this phone for 6 years know this??? And when I asked about the money I had left on the card, I was told I lost it! UNACCEPTABLE!"