Vodacom Numbere deleted for recyling

Defaulted on a contract that was up, and settled it, but cant get my number back because it has been deleted from the system and will be recycled? I have spoken to call centre and to legal and have been told different stories. But long story short, if the number is being recycled why cant i get my number back as the prepaid i needed? If i call it, it says number doesnt exist meaning it has not been given out yet. Vodacom please help me get this number back and as a prepaid as i have used it for almost 10 years and the effect of not having it is catastrophic.