THERE is something deeply unsettling when a governing party begins to take comfort in the paralysis of the opposition, and even worse when it publicly celebrates it. That discomfort was laid bare by remarks from Elvis Nkandu, who openly suggested that the disarray in opposition political parties should continue because it has “reduced noise” and allowed government to “concentrate on working.” In our view, there is no difference between this and witchcraft. In fact, it’s political witchcraft. That statement may sound politically convenient, even humorous to party loyalists, but it is dangerous to the health of Zambia’s democratic culture. Noise, in a democracy, is not a nuisance. It is a necessity. Opposition voices, however disorganised or irritating they may sound...