Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly “threatened unspecified action” against “rebel” Zanu-PF party officials, who registered as independent candidates for the upcoming polls after losing in primary elections.

The privately-owned NewsDay said that a “fired up” Mnangagwa told party supporters at rally in Masvingo last week that he disliked those who registered for the July 30 polls as independent candidates.

“I hear there are two or so party members [in Masvingo] who stood as independents. I do not like those people. We had primaries where others won and lost, others rigged and others were rigged. Some won by rigging, some lost even after rigging, but I say down with rigging, leadership should come from the people, no imposition of candidates,” Mnangagwa was quoted as saying.

Mnangagwa warned the “rebels”, saying that they had “gone too far”.

In May, Zanu-PF party held its first primary votes for the first time after ex-president Robert Mugabe’s ouster in November.

According to New Zimbabwe, the elections were held over several days and were marred by chaotic scenes, mainly due to the late delivery of ballot papers and the absence of some candidates’ names on the voting papers.

There were also allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation in some areas.

Mnangagwa, however, according to NewsDay, said the losing candidates should have waited another five years before trying again their luck as party candidates.

Zimbabwe was set for general election on July 30.