He has not even started his new job but the new chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission could already be facing a court challenge. Note: On Friday the presidency issued a statement saying the chairmanship of the Independent Electoral Commission has not yet been determined.President Jacob Zuma yesterday (Thursday) formally appointed his former adviser Vuma Mashinini as head of the IEC.The DA spokesman on home affairs, Haniff Hoosen, said the party would consult its lawyers to "ascertain what steps can be taken to prevent the Zumafication of the IEC".Outgoing spokesman for the Presidency Mac Maharaj said Mashinini would serve a seven-year term as IEC chairman, starting on May 1. He replaces Pansy Tlakula, who resigned following a lease scandal.Mashinini, who has worked in the presidency for several years, was one of 14 candidates interviewed for the position. His approval by parliament earlier this year was met with discontent from the opposition, who questioned his independence, given his apparent close ties with Zuma.At the time, the Economic Freedom Fighters accused him of having been deployed by Luthuli House and raised questions about the gender balance at the commission.Following the resignations of Tlakula and Raenette Taljaard, there are no women commissioners in the electoral body."The DA believes this appointment is irrational and not in the interests of an independent IEC or free and fair elections," the party said.Last week, the Presidency revealed in response to a parliamentary question that Mashinini had been on its payroll since 2010, earning more than R1-million a year.DA MP Michael Cardo said "the fact that he is so close to Zuma, and that he has been riding on Zuma's gravy train for the past five years, casts a cloud of doubt over his ability to be independent and non-partisan at the IEC".ANC caucus spokesman Moloto Mothapo welcomed the appointment.He said claims that Mashinini was a political pawn were "not worthy of the dignity of a response" as Mashinini had been subjected to a rigorous interview process .UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said opposition parties would monitor how Mashinini conducted the affairs of the IEC.Economic Freedom Fighters spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said Mashinini would never enjoy the confidence of opposition parties because of his close ties with Zuma."We rejected his appointment in parliament and we still reject it now," he said.Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni said though the image of the IEC received a knock leading to the departure of Tlakula, Mashinini could restore it if he remained impartial...