Train services in the Western Cape, South Africa were fully restored on Thursday (February 27) after Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula intervened.

Speaking at a news conference Mbalula said: "There was no train all afternoon and that is why it was important for us to intervene and sort it out."

Train services in the Western Cape came to a halt earlier on Thursday as power utility ESKOM cut power to the trains due to non-payment.