London-listed Lonmin plc, the mining company at the centre of a pay dispute which saw 44 striking workers shot by police following security clashes at its South African Marikana platinum mine in the North West province - has moved its chief financial officer into the top spot.

Simon Scott, Lonmin's CFO since September 2010, takes up the position of acting CEO with immediate effect, supported by executive chairman Roger Phillimore and director for business also on the executive committee, Mahomed Seedat.

The senior management shuffle follows the inability of the chief executive, Ian Farmer, to preside over business on account of illness.

In a statement released to the market this morning, Lonmin said that Farmer has commenced a course of treatment and that 'it will be some months before he is able to return to work fulltime.'

Phillimore said: 'We are grateful to Simon for assuming these additional responsibilities with the full support of his top team. I have every confidence in his leadership especially at this challenging time.'

A judicial commission of inquiry has begun into the incident which also saw an additional 78 wounded during the clash in which police attempted to disperse the striking miners.

Lonmin's shares plunged by 15% since the violence erupted last week, and was down 2.89% to 621.5p in early morning London trading.