New contract phone but the EMEI Number gets blocked?

Contract for a contract phone... It is so exciting to take out a contract with a cell phone company and to receive a new phone.We watched the consultant take the "new" phone out of a sealed box and put a screen protector on. She inserted the sim card etc. The excitement didn't last long as within a short time the new phone stopped working. We booked the phone in for repairs naturally... First Vodacom said the phones antenna isn't working. We asked that they go ahead with repairs. The phone came back still not working after a week or so. We went to the Vodacom where we took out the contract and explained what happened. The phone had no damages it as WAS still new. We were advised to take it back to Vodacom repairs. Once again we booked in the phone still believing in Vodacom and trusting their consultants. The phone came back about three days later. Vodacom simply stated that the phone's EMEI number was blocked. I was really upset because we had paid the contract and didn't understand why the phone's EMEI number was blocked. Our account was paid up to date in full at that stage still...We went back to the store where we took out the contract. Vodacom said they didn't block the phone and obviously we didn't. There the battle began. Daily phone calls to Vodacom to please unblock the phone or the swop the phone. I spoke to everyone and every department within Vodacom. Vodacom advised that I email them and hand in an affidavit. I handed in two, yes at different Vodacom stores and emailed the affidavits to the required people. I gave Vodacom time as they said after handing in the Affidavids they would resolve the matter. However I haven't heard anyting from Vodacom regarding the contract, the phone nor the Affidavids. (The Affidavids stated that we didn't block the EMEI ). After a long battle with no results from Vodacom's side we stopped paying the contract. Who would pay for a contract that you can't use? We didn't receive the airtime and data and we couldn't use the phone. I tried everything going in to every Vodacom store from Kimberley to Pretoria and not one manager or consultant could help us. I demanding the contract eventually from the store where we took out the contract and gotten the phone, asking the manager at the store what we could do to resolve the issue. Eventually Vodacom phoned me not to help sort out the mess but to ask why I'm not paying my contracts... Finally we got their attention. I even phoned on Christmas day 2017 to plead that they help us. Not one consultant could help or resolve the matter. Vodacom hasn't lifted a finger to find out who or even how a brand new Samsung phone's EMEI number could or would be clocked. It is now years since that contract was taken out, We had to go buy a phone at Game on credit because my husband needed a cellphone to conduct business. How is this justified? Now I have to deal with Vodacom's lawyers threatening me and harassing me. "We confirm that you are in default in terms of the Agreement (as contemplated in Section 8 of the “NCA”) between yourself and our client in that you have failed to react to requests to pay the outstanding amount of R 6 819,40. I must pay for a useless phone and services I couldn't use? The phones 2 year contract has ended and Vodacom till hasn't apologized or replaced the phone or done anything to assist us with this matter. Vodacom blacklisted me! Here I stand with my back against the wall fists up ready to fight in court. Nina