Vodacom says my number does not exist

I have had the same phone number now for years. My contract eventually came to an end and Vodacom was informed that this number would be going to a prepaid system. Suddenly my phone can only do emergency calls. Vodacom is contacted and we are informed that this number does not exist. NOW I have to go find a different service provider, get a new number and inform all the necessary parties of a new number because Vodacom is inept and cannot follow a simple thing like cancelling a contract and putting that number onto prepaid. Well done Vodacom.