S. AFRICA MAY RELEASE NELSON MANDELA

A senior Government official has hinted that jailed African National Congress leader, Nelson Mandela, could be released soon after the Sept. 6 election. In an interview with the largest Afrikaans-language daily, Beeld, Justice Minister Kobie Coetsee, said he had no doubt that Mr. Mandela's position would receive attention by acting State President Frederik De Klerk after the general election.

Mr. Coetsee said the final stage of Mandela's phased release had begun with his statement following a meeting with former President Pieter W. Botha July 5 in which he announced that he supported ``peaceful development.''

``We are not wedded to the demand that he must renounce violence before he is released,'' Coetsee said.