Vodacom accounts unreachable

I have a Vodacom account. Recently my payment was late and my phone was soft locked. Payment was made but it is now nearly 24 hours and my phone is still soft locked. This after I made various phone calls to the automated systems, where one does not get to speak to an operator but a pre recorded voice telling you they notice many attempts from your side to contact them. Nobody phones back, I went into a Vodashop yesterday. They phoned the office and I was promised my phone will be unlocked within 2 to 5 hours. Sad to say, it is now 18 hours later and my phone is still locked and when calling Vodacom I still get the automated voice telling me they notice my various attempts and will call me back. This will mean I will have to drive to a Vodashop again today with the promise of my phone being unlocked within 2 to 5 hours. I unfortunately just upgraded my contract after 6 years. What a pity!