Unwarranted and Unnecessary Black Listing of Phone

Arrived at OR TAMBO, realized had left mobile in UBER. Called my number numerous times, but UBER driver failed to answer. Was pretty sure, I'd get my phone back eventually, but thought best thing was to block my phone, just in case. Phoned Vodacare and asked them to block the phone. At no time did I say my phone was ****** and I need you to BLACK LIST the phone. The Vodacare operator never asked or confirmed whether my phone was ****** or not, she just said like OK, will do. Through the honesty of the UBER driver, the phone was duly recovered, delivered and couriered back to me and off I went to the Cavendish Vodacom shop to just get it unblocked. No they said, this could not be done as the phone was BLACK LISTED and would take 7 to 14 working days to un-black list. This has caused huge inconvenience and cost. I haven't lost a leg or been knocked over by a truck, but you can't have no phone these days and I ended up being forced to buying the cheapest Samsung Mini and doing a simswap, costing me R1599. The kind young assistant in the Vodacom shop said perhaps I should have rather said. "Please LOCK my SIMCARD" if you have misplaced your phone and you think you'll get it back. I feel really strongly, not being the only one ever misplacing or losing a mobile, that the problem lies with the Vodacare operator for not asking and establishing the situation, ie had my phone been ****** and did I immediately wanted it Black Listed, she just black listed it. I need some answers from Vodacom about what do they say to this and what they might do about it.