3.7 Sustainability According to the Zimbabwean CICs concept paper (2016), CICs would be sustained and depend on longterm commitment of key staff, the long-term stability and finance and the ability to remain relevant to community needs36. However, results from the survey have shown that staff members for CICs in places like Chibuwe, Macheke, Murehwa, Checheche and Mpopoma in Bulawayo, are reported to either be absent or quickly closing the centres and focus on other issues. Insights from the literature review have shown that a number of centres have been established, but a few have survived after the initial period of funding lapsed37. Lack of a reliable Wi-Fi and computers is also preventing other users from seeing the importance of CICs because they could not afford either smartphones or computers, hence being digitally excluded. This is in line with Gollakota and Doshi (2011) who point out that CICs do not live up to their potential as most rural communities did not comprehend the importance of ICT38. A small percentage seems to be sustainable in the long term. More so, the sustainability of CICs in Zimbabwe is threatened by allegations of corruption and wrongdoing at the ministry. For instance, the Ministry of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services was charged with borrowing $10 million, $194,564, and $95,000 from POTRAZ without the approval of the Treasury to purchase the government's stake in Telecel Zimbabwe and acquisition of a vehicle for the Minister and Deputy Minister (Win Mlambo)39. That amount of money could have been used to buy equipment for CICs thus, expanding access to information in communities. In addition, security issues have been reported in areas such as Mpopoma where the CIC facility is not fenced and anyone can just pass-by. More so, in 2021 Chief Matthew Chitemamuswe Chiweshe, during the official opening of St Albert’s Village Information Centre, called upon the Zimbabwe Republic Police to help in protecting their newly installed IT infrastructure since incidences of crime were on the rise in that area40. 4.0 CONCLUSION The research established that CICs are critical in improving access to information in rural and marginalised communities. They enable citizens to make informed decisions as well as participate in national development processes. Education, research, work and current affairs were found to be some of the positive roles that CICs are playing in communities. However, the research also identified some structural limitations that are hindering CICs from playing an effective role and meeting their set objectives. In general, CICs were found to have a bias towards Growth Points (rural business centres), as this is where Post Office structures are found. Inadequate funding of the CICs, lack of equipment, poorly trained staff, long distances to the CICs, poor connectivity or unstable network, sometimes lack of data or power, and the lack of consideration of people with 36 The Zimbabwean CICs concept paper (2016). 37 UNESCO (2013) 38 Gollakota and Doshi (2011). Diffusion of technological innovation in Rural- Areas . Journal of Corporate Citizenship. (41), 69-82. 39 L.S.M Kabweza June 24, 2016. TechZim. AG: ICT Minister Mandiwanzira got loans from POTRAZ without gov approval. Available at: https://www.techzim.co.zw/2016/06/agreveals-mandiwanzira-loans-potraz/. (Accessed on 26 October 2022). 40 Muswere, The Standard and Newsday, 10 October, 2021. Village Information Centres key in building a digital economy. Available at: https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/10/villageinformation-centres-key-in-building-a-digital-economy-muswere. (Accessed on 26 October 2022). MISA Zimbabwe • The State of Access and Use of Community Information Centres (CICs) in Zimbabwe 11