Harare was taking action against NGOs because some were using relief activities as a cover for a campaign to overthrow the government, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, the minister of information and publicity, told the radio station.
"Pro-opposition and Western organisations masquerading as relief agencies continue to mushroom, and the government has annulled the registration of all NGOs in order to screen out agents of imperialism from organisations working to uplift the wellbeing of the poor," Ndlovu was quoted as saying.
NGOs express concern
Organisations representing NGOs based in Zimbabwe expressed their concern at the government's plans, pointing out that NGOs have played an important role in delivering food to Zimbabwe's population after the government mismanagement brought the country to the brink of starvation.
"We cannot underestimate the role played by NGOs and if that [deregistration] is true we are really concerned," Bob Muchabayiwa, programme director at the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, told Reuters.
"We are trying to engage the government to hear whether this is a policy position because this could cause panic in the sector."
Zimbabwe's government recently cancelled an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development to provide help to reform parliament.