Unable to get Vodacom number back after 21 years of being a loyal customer

I have been a loyal vodacom client for almost 21 years. I have had the same cell number since 1999. Due to recent financial difficulties i was unable to pay my contract. However i was still using the number by loading airtime up until the end of June 2020 where i was held up at Gunpoint and my phone ******.

I was told i couldnt do a Sim swop as the account was in arrears. I have subsequently paid the account and now being told i cannot get my number back. I went to Vodaworld and the told me my number has been cancelled and therefore i cannot get it back. I sent an email to the *** email address, who then responded to say they can only re-activate within 6 months of the number being cancelled. So if i was still using the number up until end of June 2020, i am still well within the 6 month period.... Why can i now not get my number that i have had for almost 21 years and all my clients have. As per their own legal department i should have been able to re-activate my number. So who actually knows what is going on there???????? I would really love to get my number back and continue being a loyal customer of Vodacom.