A senior executive of South Africa's beauty company Clicks has resigned after protests against a racist advert that led to the closure of 400 outlets.

The executive was reportedly part of the team behind the hair advert that sparked outrage for unfavourably comparing white hair to black hair.

The company on Tuesday won an interim interdict against the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters party after its leader called for the closure of all outlets for five days.

The interdict stops the party from intimidating and threatening Clicks employees and customers.

However, the company announced that all stores would remain closed on Wednesday.

Local media reports that Clicks had taken off the shelves products by TRESemmé brand whose shampoo advert caused the outrage.