OUTA surprised by govt's plan to appeal power exemption ruling

JOHANNESBURG - OUTA says it's surprised by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan's appeal, to set aside the judgment on power cuts.

READ: OUTA: Govt withdraws State of Disaster on electricity

The High Court in Pretoria made the ruling that government should exempt hospitals, public schools, and police stations from rolling blackouts.

But the minister has now raised serious concerns about the implications of the ruling.

OUTA's Stephanie Fick said, "I think I am disappointed because once again we are going to try and find solutions in a court of law instead of finding solutions for the hospitals ,schools and police stations."

"There are certain hospitals that have already gotten exempt...but some of them can't be because they are part of a bigger group they can't be isolated."

"What the court ruling has said if you can't exempt them from load shedding you must make available to them alternative electricity ...why can't you give them generators or think about alternative power?"

"Now we have to wait for an appeal and I think that's where our disappointment lies."