DISGUSTING ********* VODACOM

I have had the same Vodacom number for the past 15 years, last few years being prepaid, however during Covid lockdown I have not used reloaded data or airtime as was working from home and using WIFI. Suddenly my number does not work anymore. I contact Vodacom and they say the number was deleted and recycled on the 7th of October. I have been to various branches and even phoned Vodacom and they said they will not assist? I even loaded airtime for the phone and suddenly this not belongs to someone else? This is **********,********* and against the POPI act as my information is currently being shared to someone as all my contacts were still sending me whatsapp messages which I received to this day on my linked devices. I received no warning from Vodacom or even an sms to ask me if I still require the number. I demand my number back, in the coming days I will post this on every platform and notify family and friends of this ordeal and warn them against dealing with Vodacom at all