MR BOTHA
The reason was that I had recruited my members so that I could see who would be available to be recruited as members and I then discussed this form and the policies of the Orde Boerevolk on the 24th of September with Mr Marais. I could not allow him to swear the oath on that day because it has to be done before two witnesses and obviously the witness must all be members of the Orde Boerevolk.
I could not bring in a stranger to sign as a witness because the document had to remain secret. Mr Marais, on the 24th, filled in his name and his particulars and he signed, but he hadn't yet actually sworn the oath. The oath was sworn on the 9th of October, and it was - I then signed as a witness as well as Mr Smuts. We were both members of the Orde Boerevolk and we could then sign as witnesses.