Mandela to See Lawyers Amid Release Rumors : Mandela to See Attorneys; Release Believed Imminent

The South African government cleared the way today for jailed black nationalist leader Nelson Mandela to meet his lawyers for urgent talks Friday, fueling speculation that he is about to be freed after 21 years in prison despite his refusal to renounce violence.

Ismail Ayob, lawyer for the 67-year-old Mandela, told Reuters that Justice Minister Hendrik J. Coetzee had accepted Mandela’s request to see his lawyers.

The meeting is to take place at the Cape Town hospital where Mandela is recovering from a prostate operation.

Mandela’s wife, Winnie, said today that as a result of speculation in the South African press that his release is imminent and because of his “personal situation” he has made an urgent request to see his legal advisers.

President Pieter W. Botha, asked by Reuters for comment on the mounting reports, said: “No decision has been taken.”

Renunciation of Violence

Botha has stressed in the past that Mandela can only be freed if he renounces violence, something he has refused to do.

Winnie Mandela told reporters that her husband wanted to see a two-man legal team.

“Over the past few days there has been speculation, and we have no specific information. . . . But we do regard this speculation seriously because of its unprecedented intensity,” she said.

The local press has reported in the last few days speculation that Mandela, jailed for life in 1964 for sabotage and plotting revolution, will shortly be freed by Pretoria.

The speculation of a pending release has been heightened by Mandela’s extended stay in the hospital. Winnie Mandela said he had completely recovered almost two weeks ago.