US considers $986,500 grant to AfriForum, ProPublica reports
The US State Department is considering a grant to AfriForum from its human rights budget, according to an investigation by a US newsroom. AfriForum says no funding decision has been finalised, and the department has not confirmed the award.
The investigation, citing sources, says the proposed grant is 986,500 US dollars. It says the money would pay for work on alleged discrimination and violence against Afrikaners and other minorities. The funding would come through the State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour.
The investigation also says the money was first meant for Lex Libertas, the organisation founded by Ernst Roets, a former AfriForum executive. That was before an application process was announced.
Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about how open the process is, according to the investigation.
Key facts
- Who
- AfriForum (South African civil rights organisation that is the proposed grant recipient); ProPublica (American nonprofit newsroom that published the investigation); Ernst Roets (founder of Lex Libertas and former AfriForum executive); Lex Libertas (organisation the money was initially intended for, according to ProPublica)
- What
- ProPublica reports, citing sources, that the US State Department is considering a grant of 986 500 US dollars to AfriForum, funded from its human rights budget. AfriForum says no funding decision has been finalised, and the State Department has not publicly confirmed the proposed award.
- When
- 7 November 2026
- Where
- United States, South Africa
- Status
- Reported