King Mswati III of Swaziland is to take delivery of a $45 million royal jet, despite the country's parliament voting to cancel the order.

MPs and donors have condemned the purchase because Swaziland is currently grappling with a severe food crisis, with about a quarter of the one million population needing food aid after failed harvests.

The jet is essential for the king to travel to overseas countries to scout for food Energy Minister Magwagwa Mdluli

Swaziland is also badly hit by the HIV/Aids pandemic, with up to 33% of the population HIV positive.

But a senior government minister said the cabinet had now approved delivery of the plane because it would help the king to seek foreign aid and investment.

King Mswati is also under fire at the moment for taking an 18-year old girl as his 10th wife against her mother's wishes.

The mother took the unprecedented action of suing royal aides for abduction but shelved the case after finally being allowed to speak to her daughter.

Down-payment

The 19-seater Bombardier Global Express long-range jet costs more than double Swaziland's annual health budget of $20m, reports the French news agency, AFP.

But Natural Resources and Energy Minister Magwagwa Mdluli said it would enable the king to fly safely when seeking foreign aid and luring investors.

"People say the hunger will be worse by the purchase of the jet. This is untrue. In fact, the jet is essential for the king to travel to overseas countries to scout for food," he said.

Before seeking parliament's approval in October, the government had already made a $2.8m down-payment.

King Mswati is Africa's last absolute monarch and political parties are banned in Swaziland.