Number taken and slow service at Springs Vodacom store

I have a prepaid number that I am now not able to use. I have had it since from around 2008 and now it doesn't exist when you phone it. As it is not my primary phone I use it as my spare phone number in a separate phone. Recently I displaced the phone where I live and only found it in a stack of clothing recently and discovered the problem of it not been active.

I was aware of a 3 month not in use a while back and I forgot when I last used the number in the phone. On checking discovered it was last used in May. After waiting a ridiculously long time at a Springs Vodacom branch to be helped today(28 September) for 30 minutes, the sales executive said it was deleted on the 2nd or 3rd September.

I don't want another number to replace it and Vodacom has basically ****** my airtime that was on that number. It is an easy to remember number and I want it back for both logical and sentimental reasons(had it since 2008) and I liked it when you could still choose your prepaid numbers in store.

Currently as per the store sales executive it shows it was deleted and from calling it, the number has not been issued yet. He also stated that I can go to Vodaworld in Midrand and they could possibly help me with possibly getting it back. I live in Springs and it is a long way to go there and if possible could get a sim card at a local Vodacom shop with the number issued below.

I really need to get this number back and my lost airtime(around R 40 to R 50) and if it requires me to go to Vodaword in Midrand I will go there. I preferably would like to go to Vodacom store where I live where a new sim card with the number could be issued.

The number in question is ***

Please can you assist?