An appeal by the government for a review of the Massmart/Walmart merger is expected to be heard on Thursday.

Earlier this month, four departments -- agriculture, forestry and fisheries; economic development; and trade and industry -- filed their heads of argument in the merger case.

They argued that Walmart's acquisition of Massmart can have a "potentially devastating" effect on local jobs and they want transaction to be sent back to the Competition Tribunal for proper consideration and more effective conditions to be imposed.

The government has argued that the merging parties will increase imports, relying on Walmart's vast and extensive international procurement capability.

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