Just a theory
But I think Khashoggi was a front man for al Waleed and his circle
Al Waleed is on lock down and being watched 24/7
He still has a considerable amount of money and connections
He also has many loose ends that need tying up
Also still wants to push his agenda
And get his money/power back
How do you do that while monitored?
Get someone who you trust
Someone who already knows where the bodies are buried and more importantly can do what needs to be done – i.e.
Make deals with friends still in SA intel, move bodies, push agenda, get back some money, tie up loose ends, disrupt SA/US relations AND undermine SA government
Here's the important part:
With little to know communication or guidance
Autonomous
Which leads to the next question
If you're SA Gov or Intel why kill this guy?
He's got all the answers to everything you need and knows everyone you need to talk to
If I were a country that did work/cut deals with Khashoggi and I knew that he had been picked up by SA officials and knew the impact of that and how exposed that left me, what would I do?
I'd say the SA government killed him and then demand proof that he isn't dead
Then when offered that proof I'd demand that he be set free
FREE KHASHOGGI would be plastered and blasted over every form of media i had could get my hands on
Or if the SA gov did not get to him i would kill him 1st and then say SA killed him
Either way it makes no sense for SA to kill this guy
The SA government wants him to sing like a bird
Dead men dont talk