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MAN OF THE MOMENT: King Mswati III celebrates in style amid the country's economic crisis.Photo: Sunday Times

Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini said the king now owned a McDonnell Douglas DC-9 twin-engine jet, but the plane was a gift to be used by Mswati and his 13 wives.

"His majesty's government has the honour to announce to the nation that the king has received a gift of a DC-9 aircraft from development partners and friends of the king, to be used by their majesties for travels abroad," Dlamini said.

Mswati celebrated his birthday on April 19 with a $386,000 (about R3-million) partly paid for by the state.

He is rated by Forbes magazine as the world's 15th richest monarch with a personal fortune of $100-million (R776-million), but he reins over one of the world's poorest nations.

The Swaziland Diaspora Platform, a human rights group based in South Africa, has rejected the government's explanation for the jet.

"No development partner would want to be anonymous. By their nature, development agencies are transparent.

"We demand the release of full details of the donor and the value of the jet," spokeswoman Ntombenhle Khathwane said.

The banned Pudemo opposition also accused Mswati of using taxpayers' money.

"He was secretly using it and only now do they feel bold enough to admit it. We have long said that this monarchy is a huge drain to the economy," spokesman Zakhele Mabuza said.

Mswati in 2002 secretly used R28-million for a deposit on a 19-seater Bombardier Global Express long-range jet but the move was halted after a huge uproar from parliament, opposition parties and civil society.

Swaziland is currently facing an economic crisis that has sparked protests in the tiny kingdom.

Opposition groups, labour and students have protested to demand more democracy in Africa's last absolute monarchy.

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Fri May 24 02:56:10 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 26, 2012

RobinH

THIS IS JUST UTTERLY DISGUSTING!

Hello people.
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Apr 26, 2012

terrabites

This guy is a cake
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Apr 26, 2012

maneater

..............i mean really now.............
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Apr 26, 2012

Bingo-Ingo

Abolish this system. How do people benefit out of it. Strange enough people are starving and this man is busy living a lavish style. Do away with the mornachy.
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Apr 26, 2012

Doculam

This dude is taking advantage of his people and makes a mockery of his own tradition. Change the system: put a democratic government in place, and let the royal family play a ceremonial role, funded with amounts as decided by the government(like in the UK). This way proper accountable governance will take place and tradition will continue.
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Apr 26, 2012

SebolaNtimetseAdikateMoketla

Agents of the west

Here is ammunition

delivered to you on a silver platter

Use it I dont care

Where is Obama?

Kwere kwere kwere kwere!
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Apr 26, 2012

RobinH

Sebola: And what is that confused jumble supposed to mean? And the "kwere kwere"?
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Apr 26, 2012

momopat

and who will pay for the fuel?
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Apr 26, 2012

lindsay

wow this guy is having it any tender for the fourteenth wi fe perhaps?
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Apr 26, 2012

tpaz

another mugabe
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