Restore the grid | Call on government to put people first

JOHANNESBURG - The High Court has ordered government to exempt hospitals, schools and police stations from rolling blackouts.

The Progressive Health Forum says parties should never have been forced to approach the courts.

READ: Restore the grid | Govt 'likely' to appeal power exemption ruling

It says government should have put people's safety first.

"At the moment I think we've been ok because the stages have been that high," said the forum's Prof Richard Nethononda.

READ: High Court rules hospitals, schools be exempt from blackouts

"But as they become higher and higher, we are going to have a very serious problem with ensuring uninterrupted diesel supply to generators, to keep them running so that operations can be done in theatres and operate our equipment in the intensive care units and babies be kept warm in incubators.

"I can understand it will take a bit of time, but I would agree with the court judgment that we need to sort this thing out and it is not acceptable what they are trying to do."