They were the "clean-up team" who whisked Robert McBride away from his controversial car accident in 2006 - but now his right-hand men have given damning statements to senior police officials investigating the crash.
At McBride's December 21 crash, witnesses gave police statements saying he was drunk.
They also claimed his officers bullied bystanders and covered up for their boss by rushing him off before proper investigations could be done.
McBride has denied these claims, saying he had amnesia and could not remember rolling his Chevrolet.
No blood-alcohol tests were taken at the time of the accident.
Now it seems three of his top cops have turned against him - and in return claim they are being victimised at work.
On May 18, notices were placed around various metro police offices banning Chief Superintendent Stanley Segathevan, Superintendent Itumeleng Koko and Chief Superintendent Patrick Johnstone from entering the premises.
The official reason: they had tried to gain unauthorised entry into the police's head office after hours.
On Tuesday, the trio consulted their lawyer about getting a protection order against McBride.
They also tried to hand in their letters of grievances at their offices, but were denied access.
All three men received official notices of the allegations against them on Monday.
Segathevan is being probed for not declaring he had a criminal record, despite the fact that it related to a car accident he caused while on duty in the early 1990s.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide and was given a suspended sentence.
He has 16 years' service and is in charge of special units.
The allegations against Johnstone, for lying about his matric certificate, come at a strange time, as he has worked for McBride for more than three years and served as a traffic official for 11 years.
Two years ago he was promoted and, sources say, never claimed to have a matric certificate.
Other allegations include the three officers driving stolen cars and using taxpayers' money to buy tyres - claims which are completely untrue, sources said.
Ironically, when the scandal around the stolen cars broke last month, and one of Segathevan's men was arrested, McBride defended the officer, saying there was a smear campaign against them.
The trio's lawyer, Saleem Abrahim, said the men would take legal action against the way their mug-shots were hung up at work.
This, he said, labelled them as criminals and was against labour law.
The posters were placed in offices in Bedfordview, Kempton Park and Boksburg.
"The first issue is the labour one. We reject with contempt the redeployment (of Segathevan), the allegations and the posters (banning the men).
"They are being seen as suspects on the run," Abrahim said.
"And, if necessary, we are going to seek an interdict against McBride barring any contact and restricting him from any further defamation (against the three officers)."
Although the men have not been suspended, Abrahim believes their employer is building up towards disciplinary action and dismissals.
Although he wouldn't go into details, he confirmed that his clients "are co-operating with the police and will continue to co-operate".
Last night, Lucinda Moonieya, of the National Prosecuting Authority, said the police had yet to deliver the docket and the decision on whether to prosecute was still pending.
This means yet another deadline, set for last Friday, has been missed.
Ekurhuleni metro police spokesperson Wilfred Kgasago said the reason he was given for the posters was that the officers had tried to gain unauthorised entry.
He could not confirm the investigations against the men and said the posters were not linked to McBride's accident.
Kgasago said he was unable to get a response from McBride, who is currently in Ireland.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said on Tuesday he was not in a position to comment, but would speak to the investigating officers on Wednesday.
