(CNN) Ten children kidnapped in Tanzania have been found dead with their body parts mutilated, authorities told CNN on Monday.

Tanzania's deputy health minister Faustine Ndugulile said all 10 children had been missing since December in Njombe district, southwest Tanzania.

Their bodies were discovered last week after police launched a search operation in the area.

"So far, we have found 10 bodies, and most of their private parts and teeth had been removed," Ndugulile said.

"These murders are linked to witchcraft practices because that is the trend for such crimes, where herbalists ask people to get these human parts for money rituals," he added.

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