"Our men are not satisfied with one woman even if they know that they are HIV-positive," the 87-year-old president told a national HIV/AIDS conference in Harare, according to the Herald newspaper.

"I know of cases of men who even though they are taking ARVs (anti-retroviral drugs) are running from one woman to the other," said Mugabe, as he called for "discipline."

At least one in seven Zimbabweans is believed to be infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe announced plans to have all male cabinet ministers circumcised in a bid to encourage men in the country to undergo the minor operation.

Research has shown circumcision - not commonly practised in many parts of southern Africa -- may cut HIV-infection rates by up to 60 per cent.Author: Ryan Truscott