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The media have been called many things over the years, but the phrase “Fourth Estate” has stood out, as it basically positions the media as the fourth arm of the State after the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature. From this rank ordering, it is evident the media are an invaluable part of society as there is no democracy that can deal with public issues in secrecy.

To this end we welcome the way the public and private media have converged in the fight against graft over the past few weeks.
For since the turn of the millennium, the media in Zimbabwe rarely converged on anything as they were polarised along political lines with the public media going with the government of the day while the private media pitched for the opposition.

The debate on what constituted the national interest thus became convoluted but since the beginning of this year, when news of the abuse of public funds at the expense of service delivery in a number of state enterprises emerged, the media united in fighting against corruption.

And by focusing on this cancer that costs the nation so much in terms of revenue and development, the media jointly landed on the National Interest, which is a summation of the goals and aspirations of the nation.

The fight against corruption is one such goal which is why the media have been marching in step with the people who are the consumers of their products.

What this proves is that the media are not just watchdogs of society but are also a court of public opinion.
A perusal of the online, SMS and letters to the editor feedback platforms of any of the papers reveals a convergence of opinion on the scourge of corruption that bleeds critical sectors of much-needed revenue.

There can be no democracy that deals with such public issues in secrecy, and a media that looks the other way will have failed in its watchdog role.

While the public can marvel at the jet set lifestyles or opulence of a few high enders who sweat for what they have, it cannot marvel at miscreants accused of stealing from the national purse.

This is why even in its winning election manifesto, Zanu-PF identified corruption as public enemy number one, a position that was reiterated by President Mugabe in his address during the opening of the First Session of the Eighth Parliament and also at the luncheon convened on the occasion of the same.

Consequently Zim-Asset, which was synthesised from the manifesto, the President’s inauguration address and his remarks at the luncheon also identifies corruption as a major threat to attaining the goals of the people.

This is why we as The Herald, while holding utmost respect for our elected leaders, differed with vice president Joice Mujuru’s remarks that the unravelling salary-gate cannot be discussed in the media.

On the contrary, the first blow on corruption is exposure whose natural sequels are investigation, prosecution and where need be, restitution.

We are guided not only by the national interest but national conscience in the discharge of our duties.
Many might not be aware that the new Constitution empowers the people, where their elected representatives shirk their obligations, to approach the Constitutional Court for recourse.

However, Zanu-PF, given the resounding mandate it received on July 31 last year, has the command on all fronts to provide the requisite leadership.

The party must continue marching in step with all who repose confidence in its stewardship of the nation.
And that stewardship requires bringing to book all who abused the trust vested in them in the public enterprises.