Thirteen people have been declared dead and 16 were injured after the roof of the Pentacostal Church collapsed in Dlangubo, Empangeni in KwaZulu Natal.
KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) spokesperson Lennox Mabaso says it happened during a Passover service on Thursday night.
The roof is believed to have given way under heavy and persistent rain.
"This is a devastating tragedy and all the more that these lives have been lost as we begin our Passover services."
Mabaso says disaster management teams have been dispatched and investigations are currently underway.
"What I'm giving is a preliminary report. There will be more details that will be released by the MEC."
He adds: "The MEC is this morning leading a high-level government delegation to the affected families."