Mswati chooses a new wife every year
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The king of drought-hit Swaziland has asked the government to build a palace for each of his 11 wives.
The Times of Swaziland reports that King Mswati III asked for $15m - almost as much as the 2002 health budget.
After years of failed rains, a quarter of the 1.1m population need food aid. Swaziland also has one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection - 33%.
Two years ago, the normally docile parliament rejected his request to buy a $45m royal jet.
King Mswati reportedly wanted the money to redecorate his three existing palaces and build eight new ones.
He chooses a new wife each year at the annual reed dance.
In 2002 the mother of his latest bride took some of his aides to court, accusing them of abducting her daughter.
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