Takealot - Refusal to exchange faulty device

I bought a SEAKOO Water Pump QB60L 0.37kw for Irrigation and Garden Use 12 September 2023. Item was delivered on the 20th of September 2023. I have tested the device and it was working fine, however after 3 x times of usage and 4 months old, the device stopped working.
I have followed the return process as set out by Takealot and they picked it up for review. I have requested a replacement item as the warranty states a 6 months validation. Takealot representative advised me via email my request has been declined due to damage to the device. The pics he attached to the email showed damage to the box on the item, no physical damage to the device just signs that it was used. I was upfront with them in advising the item was used as it was working, but only 3 times of usage.