Mandela Likely to Be Freed This Weekend, Party Says

Jailed black nationalist leader Nelson Mandela is expected to be freed this weekend and sent into exile in Zambia, officials of his African National Congress told a South African radio station today.

Radio 702 quoted ANC officials in Zambia as saying they have been “alerted to expect Mandela” Saturday or Sunday.

The reports could not be confirmed in South Africa, but Foreign Minister Roelof (Pik) Botha said Thursday the nation had been in contact with other Western governments about the possibility of releasing Mandela.

An ANC official reached by telephone declined to directly confirm the report but said, “Stand by for something spectacular this weekend.”

Mandela, 67, was president of the outlawed guerrilla movement when he was jailed for life in 1964. South Africa has been under pressure from Western governments to release him.

Opposition spokesmen, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, have said that Mandela’s release could lay the groundwork for negotiations with the Pretoria government to end 17 months of racial violence in South Africa.

Mandela has refused previous government offers of freedom that required him to go into exile or repudiate political violence.

Government sources said earlier this week, however, that Mandela might not be consulted if South Africa could reach an agreement with other governments on sending him into exile.

Foreign Minister Botha said Thursday that further talks with other Western nations “might not even be necessary” to complete arrangements for Mandela’s release. The foreign minister’s comment has been the strongest signal yet that Mandela’s release is imminent.