Vodacom Sim Card Policy

i was unable to retrieve my number that i have had for over 10 years , all my documents and banking apps are linked to this number , Vodacom told me that my number has been deleted from their system without informing me how is that legal ? atleast inform clients or ask permission before deleting numbers . after only 3 months of not recharging it ?! IM FURIOUS , this number was a contract number and has been registered all the years under my name . VODACOM do better !