Investec Bank Limited instituted action against several principal debtor companies and their sureties, including Dean Gillian Rees and Edward Christopher Jowitt, for amounts exceeding R34 million arising from multiple loan agreements secured by mortgage bonds and deeds of suretyship. After the appellants entered notices of intention to defend, Investec applied for summary judgment. The application was supported by an affidavit from Ms Mirielle Ackermann, a recoveries officer employed by Investec, who stated that she had personal knowledge of the facts based on bank records under her control and acquired in the ordinary course of her duties. The appellants opposed summary judgment, contending that Ms Ackermann lacked the personal knowledge required by Rule 32(2) of the Uniform Rules of Court because her knowledge was derived from documents and she was not involved in concluding the suretyships or signing certificates of balance. The High Court granted summary judgment in respect of 13 of the 14 claims, granting leave to defend only one claim where a suretyship was allegedly unsigned. The appellants appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal.