"We have lost a pedoligist [a scientist who studies soil properties and classifies soil types] who cannot be replaced immediately and this is because of the inability to handle transformation," Professor Albert Modi, a dean of UKZN School of Agriculture, was quoted as saying in the Natal Witness.

Modi was speaking at the farewell of Professor Jeffrey Hughes, head of soils science at the school.

He said it was unfortunate that Hughes had to leave because he had three to eight more years to offer for his services.

He said the old staff comprising mainly white people and the staff which came after the merger to form UKZN misunderstood the meaning of transformation.

"The leadership of the university is saying transformation will be implemented whether the older group likes it or not, while the latter feels that transformation is meant to make black staff superior to whites, which is not the case," he said.

Hughes said one of the reasons he chose to resign was because of the administrative style of the university.

"I didn't expect this [lecturing] to be political. I find that I can't trust people in authority at UKZN," he was quoted as saying in the Witness.