Tanzania arrests 65 'witchdoctors' over ritual killing of at least 10 children

Victims found with body parts removed

People with albinism are often targeted under the belief their body parts are particularly potent in rituals (CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images)

Police have reportedly arrested 65 “witchdoctors” in Tanzania in connection with the ritual murders of at least 10 children.

Many of the children had body parts removed, the BBC reported.

Simon Sirro, the inspector general of police, has ordered every traditional healer to obtain a licence.

“We have also requested other institutions like religious leaders and politicians to help us,” he added, according to the broadcaster.

The children were killed in the south-western Njombe region in January and an unknown number of children were also killed in the northern Simuyu region.

People with albinism are often targeted under the belief their body parts are particularly potent in rituals.

Known as “zeru zeru” or ghosts, their condition is heavily stigmatised and families who consider it a curse have been known to kick relatives out of their homes.

It is unclear if any of the children known to have been killed had albinism, according to the BBC.