The origin of the costly "gift" — a DC-9 aircraft — is a mystery, but activists say it was bought for King Mswati III by Swaziland’s government.

Swazi police fired tear gas to disperse activists who held anti-government protests for a second day on Wednesday, despite a call to stop the action.

Swazi activists vowed to stage new protests on Wednesday against King Mswati III, Africa’s last absolute monarch, after a day of mass arrests.

King Mswati III sent his top advisers to meet with union leaders in a bid to avert anti-government protests next week in the monarch, a leader says.

Swaziland says its prime minister is receiving an award, but the group apparently bestowing the honour appears to be little more than a phone number.

Swaziland’s prime minister said his government will consider punishing political dissidents by beating their feet with spikes, state media said.