I am of the view that any departmental regulations ought to be people-friendly. The implementation of any new regulation or rules will have its advantages and disadvantages. Rules and regulations will be changed when objectives are not achieved.

However, the end result of the implementation of rules ought not to become burdensome by creating difficulties for the patrons that departments interface with.
A case that I wish to comment on is one that has been engaging the attention of the public for sometime now. I am not a Marriage Officer or Pastor. However, having read the letters relating to this particular office, I decided to visit that department and do my own investigation, since there was a flat denial of the contents of the letters.
These are some of my findings at the marriage section of the Registrar General’s Office: since 2008, all the changes in the rules have brought about only greater frustration to persons accessing the services on the Marriage Office at the GPO building.
No doubt the rules were implemented to give the Registrar General greater control over the activities of staff in relation to administrative activities. On the other hand, it seems as though no consideration was given to members of the public.
During 2008, a Marriage Officer lodged a Marriage Registration Form along with an application form and the relevant fees with the Office and in three days a Certificate of Marriage was ready. This was uplifted by the Marriage Officer.
By 2009 Marriage Officers were told that they could lodge the Marriage Registration and certificate application form, but a party to the marriage must uplift the Marriage Certificate. The reason given was that Marriage Officers were exploiting the parties to the marriage.
In 2010, Marriage Officers were told that they can  lodge only Marriage Registration Forms, the parties of the marriage themselves must apply for the Marriage Certificate which will be sent through the post within one-three weeks. The reason given was not to have many persons flock the Office.
From 2011 to now, persons do not know that the Marriage Officers’ duty ends when he lodges the Marriage Registration Form and that they will not get their Marriage Certificate if they do not apply. When they do apply they are told to expect the certificates by post within one to three weeks. Sometimes months pass in waiting and the postal service is blamed for the delay. Some Marriage Officers filled out application forms and gave same to the parties after the marriage.. So they return to the Marriage Officer and complain that they have not received their Certificates of Marriage.
Many Marriage Officers promise couples to get the certificate for them even though they know that is impossible.  Many of the married couples believe that the Marriage Officer is obliged to deliver the Marriage Certificate.  How did the delivery of Marriage Certificates move from three days to three weeks and three months are needed to be examined.
The relationship between Marriage Officers and the Registrar Office deserves to be  better.  I would suggest that the Minister of Home Affairs meet with the Marriage Officer and listen to their concerns before the formulation of any new rules. Right now people are paying for a service that needs a lot of improvement.
As for the Marriage Officers who cannot operate within the law, let the Law deal with Them.