Recycled Sim over-charging!

I purchased a new cell phone and Vodacom cell contract on Friday 6 March 2020 and upon receipt of the cell phone, was given a Vodacom Sim card with my new number. When we had charged the phone and inserted the Sim, we started receiving in-contact message from a bank we don't belong to and installing Whatsapp, discovered that our NEW number is currently in use.

I contacted customer care at Vodacom and was told that had received a recycled number and that it was not in use. After explaining that I was looking at msgs recently received, it was insisted that the number was not in use but could still be linked to banks etc. I was given the option of getting a new number, being the same one with 5 different numbers at the end, but that nothing else could be done. I asked how this was accomplished and was told that she could do it online. I then said that I wanted to continue applying online and was then told that I would have to pay an EXTRA R285 for my NEW NEW number.

Everything has been recorded on the customer care line. This can be verified if you listen to the transcripts. (8 March around roughly 1pm)

I have paid for this number already Vodacom, and I will not pay triple the price for a new one! Bad form! I give you 0 rating!